Establishment of Virtual Reality System for Stroke Patients With Aphasia

Aphasia can significantly influence a person's social relationship and quality of life. To achieve positive language outcomes, an intensive and high-repetition speech therapy is essential. However, due to the limited number of speech therapists, the intensity and frequency of training are often insufficient. Therefore, it is critical to develop other rehabilitation approaches to enhance the benefits of aphasia intervention. Virtual reality (VR) is an immersive and interactive computer simulation technology that can promote the ecological validity of speech therapy. In this study, we develop an innovative VR software for speech training to explore the effects of VR on various aspects of language outcomes.

Inclusion Criteria:Diagnosis of stroke with aphasia, including fluent and non-fluent typesAge between 20~80-year-oldAble to understand virtual reality trainingAble to cooperate with instructions and follow the rulesAble to use the virtual reality controller and deviceAble to sign the subject's informed consentExclusion Criteria:Diagnosis of brain pathology other than stoke, such as brain tumor, Parkinson's disease, dementiaUnable to cooperate with the instructionsUnable to learn how to use the virtual reality controller and deviceAny medical diseases or unstable vital signs that may cause safety concernSevere hearing or vision impairmentsHave ever received any form of speech therapy or virtual reality training