Virtual Reality in Occupational Therapy Upper Limb Stroke Rehabilitation
United Kingdom30 participantsStarted 2025-07-01
Plain-language summary
The study aims to assess the feasibility of using Resynk, a virtual reality (VR) software platform for upper limb rehabilitation for stroke survivors, both in acute hospital settings and in the community (home, private nursing home, residential home). Resynk offers interactive, task-oriented training that enhances therapy intensity and patient motivation. Previous findings from a Quality Improvement project showed significant increases in treatment intensity and patient engagement with Resynk. This study will explore barriers to Resynk implementation and gather input from staff participants and stroke survivors to ensure successful integration and effectiveness.
Resynk will be delivered alongside standard care, with no intention to delay or reduce existing rehabilitation services. The study involves two participant groups -adult stroke survivors and Occupational Therapists. These represent realistic and appropriate user groups for this stage of implementation research. A control group is not included, as the primary aim is not comparative effectiveness but to assess feasibility and user experience.
This study will use a exploratory approach to using qualitative methods for gather insight into safety, acceptability and usability such as the System usability Scale, EQ-5D-5L and custom design Questionnaire. Quantitative methods will be used for evaluating rehabilitating and function outcomes this includes data collected by the Resynk application and the standardised Fugl Meyers assessment. The study will involve pre, post and follow up data collection for both participant groups.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 99 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
Stroke Participants
Able to provide informed consent
Aged over 18 years.
Evidence of stroke confirmed by medical team
Newly diagnosed patients who are admitted to the acute stroke unit with a confirmed diagnosis of stroke.
More than 48 hours since stroke event
Patient is appropriate to participate in rehabilitation according to the treating physician or medical consultant, and able to follow simple verbal commands.
Presence of an upper limb deficit identified in the NIHSS (National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale) or by a member of the medical or multidisciplinary team
Residents within the Belfast health and social care trust catchment area/postcode
Staff participants:
Qualified Registered Occupational Therapy Staff who work in the Stroke Unit in the Royal Victoria Hospital Belfast or in the Community Stroke Team in the Belfast Health and Social Care Trust.
Able to provide informed consent
Aged 18 or over
Exclusion Criteria:
Stroke Participants:
Stroke onset more than 3 months prior to study entry.
Acutely medically unwell as per medical team
Patient is unable to follow verbal commands or has global aphasia. Interpreters may be used to accommodate stroke survivors' communication needs.
Severe illness with a life expectancy of less than 3 months (e.g., cancer, endocarditis, metastasis with an occult primary malignancy).
Uncontrolled hypertension as assessed by the treating physician.
Unstable angina or recent myocardial infarction.
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Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.