da Silva Cameirao M, Bermudez I Badia S, Duarte E, Verschure PF Virtual reality based rehabilitation speeds up functional recovery of the upper extremities after stroke: a randomized controlled pilot study in the acute phase of stroke using the rehabilitation gaming system. Restor Neurol Neurosci. 2011;29(5):287-98. doi: 10.3233/RNN-2011-0599.
Hao J, Yao Z, Harp K, Gwon DY, Chen Z, Siu KC Effects of virtual reality in the early-stage stroke rehabilitation: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Physiother Theory Pract. 2023 Dec 2;39(12):2569-2588. doi: 10.1080/09593985.2022.2094302. Epub 2022 Jul 7.
Khan A, Podlasek A, Somaa F Virtual reality in post-stroke neurorehabilitation - a systematic review and meta-analysis. Top Stroke Rehabil. 2023 Jan;30(1):53-72. doi: 10.1080/10749357.2021.1990468. Epub 2021 Nov 7.
Lee SJ, Chun MH Combination transcranial direct current stimulation and virtual reality therapy for upper extremity training in patients with subacute stroke. Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2014 Mar;95(3):431-8. doi: 10.1016/j.apmr.2013.10.027. Epub 2013 Nov 14.
The Efficacy of Early Rehabilitation Combined With Virtual Reality Training in Patients With First-time Acute Stroke
Interventional studies are often prospective and are specifically tailored to evaluate direct impacts of treatment or preventive measures on disease.
Observational studies are often retrospective and are used to assess potential causation in exposure-outcome relationships and therefore influence preventive methods.
Expanded access is a means by which manufacturers make investigational new drugs available, under certain circumstances, to treat a patient(s) with a serious disease or condition who cannot participate in a controlled clinical trial.
Clinical trials are conducted in a series of steps, called phases - each phase is designed to answer a separate research question.
Phase 1: Researchers test a new drug or treatment in a small group of people for the first time to evaluate its safety, determine a safe dosage range, and identify side effects.
Phase 2: The drug or treatment is given to a larger group of people to see if it is effective and to further evaluate its safety.
Phase 3: The drug or treatment is given to large groups of people to confirm its effectiveness, monitor side effects, compare it to commonly used treatments, and collect information that will allow the drug or treatment to be used safely.
Phase 4: Studies are done after the drug or treatment has been marketed to gather information on the drug's effect in various populations and any side effects associated with long-term use.
