# Immersive Virtual Reality to Improve Outcomes in Patients with Stroke: A Pilot Study

> **NIH VA I21** · JAMES A. HALEY VA MEDICAL CENTER · 2021 · —

## Abstract

Background. Over the last decade, Virtual Reality (VR) has emerged as a cutting-edge technology in
stroke rehabilitation. VR is defined as a type of user-computer interface that implements real-time
simulation of an activity or environment allowing user interaction via multiple sensory modalities. VR
interventions in a stroke population have been shown to be equivalent to usual care therapies and to
enhance motor recovery when utilized as an adjunct. Significance/Impact/Innovation. This research will
advance knowledge in rehabilitation research by testing state-of-the-art immersive 3-dimensional VR
technology with the post-acute stroke Veteran population. The proposed project addresses: (1) the RR&D
goal of maximizing functional recovery, (2) interest in non-pharmacological activity-based interventions for
pain, and (3) supports modernization of the Veterans’ Health Administration by incorporating technology-
assisted rehabilitation.
Specific Aims. (1) Determine the feasibility and tolerability of using a therapeutic VR platform in an
inpatient comprehensive stroke rehabilitation program and (2) Estimate the initial clinical efficacy, or effect
size, associated with the VR platform using APPS for distraction and upper extremity exercise for
Veterans post-stroke.
Methodology. Prospective within-subject pre-post pilot and survey study designs will be used. The
target populations are (1) clinical staff who work on the Comprehensive Interdisciplinary Inpatient
Rehabilitation Program (CIIRP) at the James A. Haley Veterans’ Hospital (JAHVH) in Tampa (sample size
N=10) and Veterans who are inpatients in the CIIRP (sample size N=10). The VR intervention consists of
wearing a head mounted display that plays APPs ranging from music and nature views for pain distraction
to more challenging strengthening and coordination activities such as playing the piano virtually. The
intervention will last four weeks. The analytic approach will use descriptive statistics and qualitative
methods. Aim 1 will administer a survey with open and closed ended questions to clinicians to examine
the feasibility of successfully integrating a VR intervention into the flow of usual care. Feasibility constructs
include adaptability (can VR intervention be adapted to an inpatient unit), patient need (do Veterans like
and benefit from the intervention), and staff comments/impressions. Responses for each construct will be
entered into an excel spreadsheet, one tab for each construct. Responses will then be grouped by similar
content. Results will be reported as themes and subthemes. Aim 1 will also track patient VR tolerability by
documenting and discussing patient complaints and adverse events. Tolerability data will be extracted
from meeting minutes and grouped by similar occurrences. Results will be reported as themes and
subthemes. Aim 2 will estimate effect sizes and degree of precision for upper extremity neurologic
recovery, hand dexterity, and pain outcomes measured pre and pos...

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10117344
- **Project number:** 1I21RX003449-01A1
- **Recipient organization:** JAMES A. HALEY VA MEDICAL CENTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Johanna E. Tran
- **Activity code:** I21 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** VA
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** —
- **Award type:** 1
- **Project period:** 2020-12-01 → 2022-11-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10117344

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10117344, Immersive Virtual Reality to Improve Outcomes in Patients with Stroke: A Pilot Study (1I21RX003449-01A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-24 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10117344. Licensed CC0.

---

*[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*