brain sciences Article Non-Immersive Virtual Reality for Post-Stroke Upper Extremity Rehabilitation: A Small Cohort Randomized Trial Roxana Miclaus 1 , Nadinne Roman 1,* , Silviu Caloian 1, Brindusa Mitoiu 2, Oana Suciu 3 , Roxana Ramona Onofrei 3 , Ecaterina Pavel 4 and Andrea Neculau 1 1 Faculty of Medicine, Transilvania University of Brasov, 500036 Brasov, Romania;
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[email protected] Received: 26 August 2020; Accepted: 18 September 2020; Published: 21 September 2020 Abstract: Immersive and non-immersive virtual reality (NIVR) technology can supplement and improve standard physiotherapy and neurorehabilitation in post-stroke patients. We aimed to use MIRA software to investigate the efficiency of specific NIVR therapy as a standalone intervention, versus standardized physiotherapy for upper extremity rehabilitation in patients post-stroke. Fifty-five inpatients were randomized to control groups (applying standard physiotherapy and dexterity exercises) and experimental groups (applying NIVR and dexterity exercises). The two groups were subdivided into subacute (<six months post-stroke) and chronic (>six months to four years post-stroke survival patients). The following standardized tests were applied at baseline and after two weeks post-therapy: Fugl–Meyer Assessment for Upper Extremity (FMUE), the Modified Rankin Scale (MRS), Functional Independence Measure (FIM), Active Range of Motion (AROM), Manual Muscle Testing (MMT), Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), and Functional Reach Test (FRT).