Virtual Reality in Robotic Neurorehabilitation

Abstract

Patients with neurological disorders engage in an intensive and extensive neurorehabilitation process to regain part of their lost cognitive and motor functions. Robot-assisted rehabilitation and virtual reality (VR) is a promising technology combination to improve neurorehabilitation. Specifically, robot-assisted immersive VR therapy may enforce neuroplasticity by enhancing patients motivation and engagement in intensive movement training through individualized VR regimes, supporting multisensory integration (i.e., visual, auditory and haptic information), and by realistically mimicking real-life or fictional scenarios together with a realistic representation of the patients' limbs. Yet, the potential of robotic VR therapy is not exploited due to the simplistic and cognitively demanding VR systems currently employed in clinics. In this chapter, we review the current status of research in robotic VR neurorehabilitation, which factors are important to be considered when designing VR therapy programs and suggest promising directions for future research.