The comparison of the effects of the virtuaal reality based robotic rehabilitation program on weight transmission and movement participation

Objective: This study was planned to compare the effects of virtual reality-based robotic rehabilitation program on weight transfer and mobility levels of patients in early and late stroke patients. Methods: The study included 45 stroke (24 acute stroke, 21 chronic stroke) individuals receiving virtual reality-based robotic rehabilitation therapy at Elazığ Fethi Sekin Şehir Hospital Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Center. The sample of the study consisted of individuals with acute or chronic stroke who were selected by random sampling method. Following the demographic information of the individuals, following the pre-study evaluations of the individuals, weight transfer and participation rates in the posture and swing phases of the hip and knee joints on a weekly basis (1st, 2nd, 3rd weeks after the rehabilitation and end of treatment), total 5 evaluations digitally calculated. Results: A total of 45 individuals with 24 acute and 21 chronic stroke with a mean age of 58.5 ± 85.4 years participated in the study. When the effects of virtual reality based robotic rehabilitation program on weight transfer and movement participation levels of the patients were examined, there was a significant difference against time (p < 0.05); No significant differences were found between the groups when early and late stroke patients were compared (p> 0.05). Conclusion: It was found that the effects of virtual reality based robotic rehabilitation program on weight transfer and movement participation did not differ between early and late stroke patients. As a result of this study, quantitative data were obtained about the ideal usage time of robotic technology in stroke rehabilitation and the effect of this state-of-the-art rehabilitation program on weight transfer and participation in movement was demonstrated temporally. This is the first study in the literature investigating the effectiveness of virtual reality-based robotic rehabilitation according to stroke time. Key words: Virtual reality, robotic rehabilitation, weight transmission, movement participation, stroke