The Use of Virtual Reality in Lower-Limb Robotic Rehabilitation

Stroke is considered one of the most common causes of physical disability worldwide. Physical post-stroke rehabilitation treatment is essential to improve the functionality of the impaired limbs and improve the life quality of patients. The use of virtual reality (VR) in this circumstance is recognized as an innovative and effective method for the rehabilitation of post-stroke survivors. This article explores ways in which VR can be integrated into the rehabilitation process for post-stroke patients and iterates the main advantages brought using this technique. When combined with robotic-assisted rehabilitation, VR allows patients to participate in rehabilitation exercises in an interactive and motivating way and provides a customizable and controlled environment. The paper investigates different approaches in the integration of VR technologies into robotic-assisted rehabilitation treatment and presents the main advantages of and how it leads to better medical outcomes. A case study is presented, where the robotic-assisted rehabilitation of the lower limb for bed-ridden patients is improved using a VR simulator which integrates a virtual patient and the mechanical architecture of the robot. A flexible and user-friendly interface of the simulator, featuring multiple input modalities has been developed and tested in laboratory conditions with promising results. The findings illustrate and validate in laboratory conditions, using healthy subjects, that the implementation of VR technologies can enhance the robotic-assisted treatment of neuromotor impairments.