Virtual Reality for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Rehabilitation: A Comprehensive Approach to Therapeutic Efficacy

Virtual reality (VR) technology has emerged as a promising tool for rehabilitation, offering innovative approaches to address conditions such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). This study presents the development and validation of a Virtual Rehabilitation System tailored specifically for CTS rehabilitation. The system integrates VR environments created using Unity graphics engine with haptic equipment to capture real-time hand movements and virtual reality headsets for user interaction. A diverse sample of individuals diagnosed with CTS participated in the validation process, undergoing a series of rehabilitation sessions using the developed system. Results indicate significant improvements in finger mobility and overall usability perception, with a System Usability Scale (SUS) score of 83/100. The proposed system demonstrates favorable outcomes in terms of usability and effectiveness, supporting its potential integration into clinical settings for CTS rehabilitation. Future research may explore advanced VR techniques and AI integration to further enhance rehabilitation outcomes and extend the application of VR in physiotherapy beyond CTS.