Development of a VR-based upper limb functional training system using visually guided motor illusions, and a study of its effectiveness

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K11208
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 59010:Rehabilitation science-related
• Research Institution: Nagasaki University
• Principal Investigator: HIGASHI TOSHIO 長崎大学, 医歯薬学総合研究科(保健学科), 教授 (40244090)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): 藤村 誠 長崎大学, 情報データ科学部, 准教授 (30229041)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: ミラーセラピー / バーチャルリアリティ / 上肢機能訓練 / 運動錯覚

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The aim of this study is to develop a new upper limb functional training system (HTS-VR) that uses immersive virtual reality for mirror therapy and to assess its effectiveness. The HTS-VR features two modes: a mirror mode where the contralateral hand (avatar's hand) moves symmetrically to the actual hand movement, and a non-mirror mode where the contralateral hand moves asymmetrically to the unilateral hand movement, similar to conventional mirror therapy. To evaluate the effectiveness of the HTS-VR's mirror mode and conventional mirror therapy interventions on corticospinal excitability, we used motor evoked potentials from transcranial magnetic stimulation as indicators. The results suggested that HTS-VR increased corticospinal excitability to the same extent as conventional mirror therapy. The questionnaire-based assessment of the illusion of movement also yielded similar results.

Free Research Field

リハビリテーション科学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究は，これまで切断患者の幻肢痛や脳卒中患者の麻痺側上肢機能に対する介入方法として広く知られているミラーセラピーをVirtual Reality（VR）技術の応用でより発展させようとするものである．VRを応用したミラーセラピーは従来の鏡を使用するミラーセラピーと比較して自由度が高く，より複雑な上肢機能訓練を可能とするものである．したがって今回の研究成果は，今後のミラーセラピーの介入方法を検討する上での一助となり，将来的には対象患者の上肢機能の改善に寄与するものと考える．