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September 10, 2025Open Access

Virtual reality combined with task-oriented circuit training for upper limb rehabilitation in subacute stroke patients: A randomized controlled trial

Key Points

Both VR and task-oriented circuit training significantly improved upper limb function and quality of life in stroke patients.
The experimental group demonstrated greater improvements in motor function metrics like the Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity Scale after intervention.
Incorporating virtual reality with traditional rehabilitation methods appears to enhance recovery outcomes for stroke patients in rehabilitation.
These findings indicate that virtual reality can serve as a beneficial adjunctive therapy in improving motor functions post-stroke.

Abstract

Task-oriented circuit training (TOCT) and virtual reality (VR) are innovative clinical treatment approaches based on motor relearning and neuroplasticity principles. However, the synergistic effects of these 2 methods on improving upper extremity function in stroke patients remain unclear. This study investigates the impact of VR combined with TOCT on upper limb functions and quality of life (QoL) in subacute stroke patients. In this randomized controlled single-blind study, 64 subacute stroke patients were recruited and allocated to a control group (CG) or an experimental group (EG). Patients in CG received 40-minute VR, while those in EG underwent 20-minute VR and 20-minute TOCT. Additionally, all patients received 40 minutes of traditional rehabilitation therapy 5 times per week for a total of 4 weeks. The Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity Scale, the Hong Kong Version of the Functional Test for the Hemiplegic Upper Extremity, the Modified Barthel Index, and the Stroke Impact Scale were used to assess outcomes before and after interventions. The study included 64 ischemic and hemorrhagic stroke patients, with no significant differences in demographics or baseline scores between the 2 groups. After intervention, both groups demonstrated significant improvements in upper limb motor function, activities of daily living, and QoL (P < .001). The EG achieved significantly greater improvements in Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity Scale, Functional Test for the Hemiplegic Upper Extremity, and strength domain of Stroke Impact Scale compared to the CG (P < .05), although the effect size was relatively modest. The combination of VR with TOCT can significantly enhance upper limb function and QoL in subacute stroke patients, with superior outcomes compared to TOCT alone. VR serves as a safe, efficient, and cost-effective adjunctive therapy, showing promise for clinical application in stroke rehabilitation.

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