{"id":242472,"date":"2025-10-27T01:40:12","date_gmt":"2025-10-27T01:40:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/242472\/"},"modified":"2025-10-27T01:40:12","modified_gmt":"2025-10-27T01:40:12","slug":"virtual-and-interactive-games-speed-up-stroke-recovery-says-rehabilitation-expert-the-south-first","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/242472\/","title":{"rendered":"Virtual and interactive games speed up stroke recovery, says rehabilitation expert – The South First"},"content":{"rendered":"

Research shows that gamified rehabilitation can significantly improve hand-eye coordination, balance, and upper limb function. Speaking in an exclusive interview with South First, Dr Sindhu Vijayakumar explained that unlike repetitive physical therapy, games introduce motivation and feedback. \n <\/p>\n

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Published Oct 27, 2025 | 7:00 AM \u268a Updated Oct 27, 2025 | 7:00 AM<\/p>\n


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\"Brain<\/p>\n

Brain stroke. Representative Image. (iStock)<\/p>\n

Synopsis: Interactive and virtual-reality games can accelerate stroke recovery by retraining the brain, improving mobility, coordination, and emotional well-being, says Dr Sindhu Vijayakumar, specialist in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Unlike traditional repetitive exercises, gamified therapy motivates patients with instant feedback and engaging tasks, helping them regain strength and confidence even in severe cases, and across all ages.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Can playing games help rebuild the brain after a stroke? Doctors now say yes \u2013 when used correctly, games can be powerful tools in stroke rehabilitation, helping patients regain mobility, coordination, and confidence.<\/p>\n

\u201cAfter a stroke, patients often lose strength or control on one side of the body. Recovery depends on retraining the brain to reconnect those lost pathways,\u201d explains Dr Sindhu Vijayakumar, specialist in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.<\/p>\n

\u201cGames, especially interactive or virtual reality based ones, make that process engaging and consistent.\u201d<\/p>\n

Speaking in an exclusive interview with South First, Dr Sindhu explained that unlike repetitive physical therapy, games introduce motivation and feedback.<\/p>\n

Whether it is stacking blocks on a tablet, catching virtual fish, or steering a car on screen using hand motion sensors, these activities help patients perform therapeutic movements without feeling like therapy.<\/p>\n

Research shows that gamified rehabilitation can significantly improve hand-eye coordination, balance, and upper limb function. Studies show that the brain thrives on challenge and reward. Games provide an instant feedback loop that encourages repetition \u2013 the key to neuroplasticity, or the brain\u2019s ability to rewire itself.<\/p>\n

\u201cRehabilitation can begin as early as day one after a stroke, once the patient is medically stable,\u201d says Dr Sindhu. \u201cIf the blood pressure and heart rate are steady, we don\u2019t wait. The sooner therapy begins, the better the brain\u2019s ability to rewire itself.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\nFrom stress to play<\/p>\n

For many stroke survivors, repetitive exercises can feel tiring and demotivating. But when those same exercises are turned into games, the experience changes dramatically.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen we convert an exercise into a game, patients stop focusing on the fact that they\u2019re paralysed or struggling,\u201d Dr Sindhu explains.<\/p>\n

\u201cTheir attention shifts to reaching a target or achieving a goal on the screen. They get absorbed in the task \u2013 and that\u2019s when real progress happens.\u201d<\/p>\n

At her rehabilitation centre, game-based systems developed by Indian startups integrate physical movements\u2014like pressing a ball, extending an arm, or rotating a wrist\u2014with interactive on-screen games.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey might be catching a mosquito or tossing a ball virtually,\u201d she says. \u201cWhat looks like play is actually targeted upper limb or lower limb training.\u201d<\/p>\n

All types of stroke, all ages<\/p>\n

Dr Sindhu says both ischemic (clot-related) and hemorrhagic (bleed-related) strokes can benefit from gamified exercises. Even patients with severe paralysis can participate.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf one side is affected, we attach the weak arm to a device and let the stronger hand assist,\u201d she explains. \u201cOver time, as movement returns, they start using the affected limb independently.\u201d<\/p>\n

What surprised her most was how adults and older patients responded.<\/p>\n

\u201cI initially thought only children would enjoy it,\u201d she admits. \u201cBut even people in their 50s, 60s, and 70s love it. Once they start playing, they want to win. That motivation keeps them moving.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\nBeyond muscles: Healing the mind<\/p>\n

Games, it turns out, are not just physical therapy \u2013 they are emotional therapy too.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne of my patients, in his late 60s, was very withdrawn and depressed,\u201d she recalls. \u201cAfter introducing gaming-based rehab, he started talking again. He found something to look forward to. It gave him purpose.\u201d<\/p>\n

Within just three weeks, many patients show visible improvement.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom zero power to partial independence, they start seeing results. That visible progress boosts morale and emotional health,\u201d she adds.<\/p>\n

Each programme is tailored to the patient\u2019s strength and stroke severity.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor mild strokes, we add resistance to make the task harder,\u201d says Dr Sindhu. \u201cFor severe ones, we start slow, with attachments or bilateral games.\u201d<\/p>\n

Explaining the duration of sessions, Dr Sindhu says a typical session lasts 20\u201330 minutes, sometimes twice a day.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe brain needs repetition to form new pathways,\u201d she says. \u201cThese games make repetition enjoyable \u2013 which means patients practice more often and recover faster.\u201d<\/p>\n

Families unknowingly make stroke recovery harder<\/p>\n

But Dr Sindhu has one strong message for caregivers: love, but don\u2019t over-help.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn India, families tend to do everything for the patient \u2013 feeding, dressing, lifting. That kindness actually slows recovery,\u201d she cautions. \u201cIf you really love them, let them try. Let them move, play, and make mistakes. That\u2019s how they heal.\u201d<\/p>\n

She adds that gaming-based rehab is not limited to stroke alone.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe use similar systems for neurological and musculoskeletal injuries, coordination issues, and balance problems,\u201d she says. \u201cIt\u2019s changing rehabilitation across the board.\u201d<\/p>\n

(Edited by Dese Gowda)<\/p>\n

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