Stroke can cause arm weakness or stop you from being able to use your arm after a stroke.
The UEA are inviting people to take part in a study investigating whether the NeuroVirt system can be used to motivate people to carry out their arm exercises after stroke.
The NeuroVirt system aims to provide an intensive programme of arm exercises using games played in a virtual reality environment.
If you live in the southwest of England:
· we would ask you to visit a Hobbs Rehabilitation Centre (Bristol or Winchester), for an assessment.
If you live in Norfolk:
· we would visit you at home for an assessment.
What will happen?
You will then be allocated to one of two groups, you can’t choose which group you get allocated to, this will be decided by a computer, but is like tossing a coin.
A therapist will then prescribe you a set of exercises and these will be done using either the NeuroVirt system or you will have a prescription of exercises described on paper. The aim is for you to be doing your exercises for up to two hours a day six days a week by the end of six weeks.
After six weeks the people that have been using the NeuroVirt system will be asked to take part in an online interview.
All travel expenses to and from the Hobbs centres will be reimbursed and as a thank you for your participation, at the end of the study, we will also offer you a £50 Amazon voucher in gratitude for your time and input.
You are eligible to take part in this study if:
· You have had a first stroke at least three months ago
· You have had a stroke which is affecting your arm and you still have problems moving your arm. You can lift your arm from your lap to a table when sitting but you cannot stack five 5p coins.
· You do not have photosensitive epilepsy or have not had an episode of photosensitive epilepsy within the last 12 months.
· You have not been diagnosed with another neurological illness such as Parkinsons Disease or Multiple Sclerosis.
· You do not have a frozen shoulder or any other musculoskeletal problems with your shoulder
· You have at least a weak Wi-Fi connection at your home
Contact details
If you are interested in taking part in the study then please contact:
Kath Mares (Researcher) to give your consent to being contacted by the research team.
k.mares@uea.ac.uk
07970 256135
If you have any questions, then please also contact Kath Mares at the same email address / telephone number
