Virtual reality (VR)-based community living skills training for people with acquired brain injury: A pilot study

Primary objective: The purpose of the present study was to test the usability and effectiveness of a newly-developed virtual reality (VR)-based community living skills training program for people with acquired brain injury (ABI). Method: A small-sample, pre- and post-quasi experimental design was adopted to initially study the efficacy of the VR-based training program. Its usability was also investigated through interviewing subjects. Outcomes were documented in terms of subjects' skills acquisition, self-efficacy in applying the learnt skills and the transfer ratio of the learnt skills to the real environment. Global cognitive ability and the functional independence level were also assessed. Results: Four subjects with ABI (one traumatic brain injury and three stroke subjects) were successfully recruited and received 10 sessions of VR-based community living skills training. All four subjects showed improvement in skills acquisition and memory performance, while three out of four also showed improvement in self-efficacy and demonstrated transfer of skills to the real environment. Usability was initially supported. Conclusions: Preliminary results suggested positive changes in ABI subjects. The proposed virtual reality (VR) community living skills training software will be further investigated in a randomized controlled trial.