PhD project: Using virtual reality for upper limb rehabilitation in acute SCI

Led by Glasgow Caledonian University, with inpatients at Queen Elizabeth National Spinal Injuries Unit in Glasgow.

The aim of this exciting three-year project is to explore the role of virtual reality (VR) as a form of assistive technology to improve upper limb function in people with acute/sub-acute tetraplegia following SCI. The most common type of spinal cord injury is incomplete tetraplegia, which results from injury to the vertebrae in the neck, and accounts for almost half of all SCIs.
The lead researcher will apply his experience in serious game design to design, test and evaluate the feasibility of VR games in improving hand and arm function in this patient group. Earlier studies suggest that VR Training can improve motor and aerobic function as well as balance, and reduce pain. Users also found VR training much more motivating and engaging than conventional therapy. However, the number of studies and data is limited, and so far, there have been no studies evaluating its use in the acute phase following SCI, when there is most potential for recovery.

Update October 2025

PhD student Andrew Goodsell has successfully developed and tested the games. Early results suggest that both patients and therapists have found this additional therapeutic intervention usable in a clinical setting; and that the VR games enabled and motivated participants to complete larger numbers of movement repetitions in shorter amounts of time, potentially speeding up and improving their recovery.

Andrew is writing up the study for his PhD thesis, for submission later in 2025.

The photo above shows a screenshot of an archery game, designed to encourage bending of the elbow.