Progress and Prospects of Human-Computer Interaction Technology Based on VR Mirror Therapy in Upper Limb Motor Function Rehabilitation of Stroke Patients

Stroke-induced motor dysfunction remains a major challenge in rehabilitation. Based on the fact that Virtual Reality (VR) mirror therapy can achieve better outcomes than other traditional techniques, we comprehensively summarized the study progress, clinical applications and its limitation through systematic analysis of relevant documents in database search. According to the following criteria, our study included articles focusing on VR-based mirror therapy. These kinds of articles covered Random Control Trial (RCT), feasibility study and technical development paper. The investigation of related literature demonstrated that VR mirror therapy showed the advantage of increased immersion and high patient compliance which could obviously benefit stroke patients’ improvement of upper-limb motor function, balance and everyday life ability. However, the present research was restrained by small sample size, inconsistent interventions and unclarified mechanisms, which called for the need of designing more effective therapy regimens, elucidating underlying neurological mechanisms, implementing large-scale multi-center trials, so as to promote clinical translation of VR mirror therapy. Finally, we conclude this article based on in-depth critical analysis of the evidence available. And this review provides a whole account for clinicians and researchers on the current situation, implications, limitations and possible directions about the use of VR-based mirror therapy in stroke rehabilitation.