• The Journal of Korean society of community based occupational therapy
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.59-70
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• 2017

Objective : The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of virtual reality-based remote rehabilitation on stroke patients systematically and to look for its effect and how to apply it domestically. Methods : In order to search data, EMBASE and CINAHL database were used. Relevant research used those terms of virtual reality, telerehabilitation, and stroke. A total of 10 studies satisfying the selection criteria was analyzed according to their qualitative level, general characteristics, and PICO method. Results : Based on the selected 10 studies, virtual reality-based telerehabilitation system was applied. Sensory and motor feedback was provided with inputting visual and auditory senses through a video in the home environment, and it stimulated changes in the client's nervous system. Tools to measure the results were upper extremity function, balance and gait, activities of daily living, etc. Those virtual reality-based telerehabilitation method had an effect on upper extremity function and ability of sense of balance in all studies, and on the activities of daily living partially. Telerehabilitation service to make up environmental specificity improved satisfaction of client. That meaned the effect of the intervention to maintain the function. Conclusion : The virtual reality-based telerehabilitation system was applied to upper extremity function, sense of balance, and activities of daily living largely, and it showed that it helped to improve functions through intervention, supervision, and training of therapist in the home environment as well. This study suggests the basis and possibility of clinical application on virtual-reality based telerehabilitation. Additional research is needed to diverse virtual reality intervention methods and the effect of telerehabilitation in the future.