O216: RECOVER REALITY - Recover after injury or surgery to the brain and spine with virtual Reality: Feasibility Trial Results and Effectiveness Trial Protocol Free

Neurorehabilitation is fundamental to improve outcomes for patients recovering from injury or surgery to the central nervous system. Access to neurorehabilitation is limited by resource shortages, the consequences of which are unfulfilled therapy needs, longer hospital stays and detrimental effects on quality of life. Virtual reality (VR) could be used to augment neurorehabilitation in a self-directed, safe, virtual environment. The aim of this study is to investigate the feasibility of a VR rehabilitation programme in an acute neurosurgical inpatient environment to improve neurorehabilitation.

A single group, feasibility study was conducted in a tertiary UK neurosurgical department. Patients aged 16 and over who had undergone a neurosurgical intervention for brain tumours were eligible. Participants were offered a VR session at least once per day for the first 14 days post-surgery/injury or until discharge, whichever comes first, with reasons for non-engagement collected. Primary outcomes were feasibility outcomes, and secondary outcomes included rehabilitation engagement and length of stay.

Thirty-five participants were recruited. One withdrew due to headaches. None of the VR applications failed but connectivity to accompanying tablet was latent in 50% of cases. Majority of patients were able to use VR from day 2 post-op or injury. The Hopkins Rehabilitation Engagement scale and Simulation Sickness Questionnaires were feasible instruments to measure outcomes.

Feasibility was confirmed in this study. A multi-centre, prospective, randomised, controlled, unblinded, parallel-group trial of virtual reality enhanced neurorehabilitation versus standard neurorehabilitation for improving recovery after neurotrauma or neurosurgery has now been designed.