'Virtual reality' to treat stroke

Stroke victims could be "tricked" into getting better with a new virtual reality physiotherapy treatment being developed by a UK university.

Wendy Powell, a PhD student at the University of Portsmouth, has created the rehabilitation programme which uses a specially-adapted treadmill with virtual reality screens.

It works by using moving images to trick the patient's brain into thinking they are walking more slowly than they are which in turn encourages them to walk faster and further.

Ms Powell said early results suggested that patients using the technique might experience less pain than traditional physiotherapy alone.

The former chiropractor said: "The virtual system encourages patients to walk more quickly and for longer, almost without them realising it. We're effectively fooling the brain and the body.

"The environment is stimulating and entertaining and there's less fear of falling over. Our test subjects are usually surprised when I tell them they've improved by up to 20%."

She said the system would especially help older stoke patients who can find traditional approaches to improving their speed and distance difficult because it relied on self-motivation.

She said: "After a stroke or fall, many older people lack motivation and confidence and they don't feel steady on their feet so getting out and about can be an issue and they can find the whole process rather dull."

The new system uses a variety of different images from urban landscapes to forest and mountain scenes. Ms Powell has built a system of rewards into some of the programmes, which encourages the patient to pick up objects and collect points.

Dr Jane Williams, a consultant nurse in stroke care at Queen Mary's Hospital in Portsmouth, said: "I can see it working very well on improving strength, endurance and stamina. Consistency and practice are key to making progress and this system has huge potential across a wide range of activities which can be tailored to meet individual rehabilitation needs."

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