Virtual Reality Upper Limb Therapy for People With Spinal Cord Injury

Launched by GLASGOW CALEDONIAN UNIVERSITY · Nov 22, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is looking at whether virtual reality (VR) games can help people with upper limb problems due to spinal cord injuries, specifically those with tetraplegia, improve their arm and hand function while they are in the hospital. Participants will be recruited from the Queen Elizabeth National Spinal Injuries Unit in Glasgow. If you or a loved one is at least 18 years old, has a cervical spine injury, and is stable enough for physical rehabilitation, you might be eligible to participate.

Participants will be divided into two groups: one will receive standard upper limb therapy, while the other will get both the standard therapy and the VR games designed to engage and motivate them in their rehabilitation. The study will last for 12 weeks, during which the researchers will check how often participants use the VR games and whether they enjoy them. At the end of the trial, both participants and therapists will share their experiences. This trial not only aims to see if the VR games are a good fit for rehabilitation but also to explore if they can effectively help improve upper limb function.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Willing and able to give informed consent for participation in the trial.
• • Aged 18 years or above.
• • An in-patient at the Queen Elizabeth National Spinal Injuries Unit in Glasgow with a diagnosis of tetraplegia.
• • Sustained a cervical spine injury (C4-C8).
• • Medically stable to engage in physical rehabilitation and physical activity.
• • Sitting up in a wheelchair for at least 2 hours daily.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Scheduled elective surgery or other procedures requiring general anaesthesia anticipated within the next 12 weeks.
• • Any significant disease or disorder which, in the opinion of the Investigator, may either put the participants at risk because of participation in the trial, or may influence the result of the trial, or the participant's ability to participate in the trial.
• • Participated in another research trial involving an investigational product in the past 12 weeks.
• • Participating in another research trial investigating upper limb rehabilitation interventions.
• • Self-reported motion sickness.