Can Virtual Reality Have An Effect On Cognitive Habits After A Stroke?

Virtual Reality is one of the most up and coming gaming devices. With almost all consoles and games allowing it, virtual reality headsets can be used to elevate the experience within the gaming world, allowing for players to become a part of video game simulations. However, with the recurring usage of virtual reality, there has been much questioning about the extent to which virtual reality can affect the brain, both positively and negatively. It may be capable of tricking our minds, but can also elevate our cognitive skills with adaptability. 

What Are Strokes And How Can They Affect People?

Throughout the years, there have been various proposals that virtual reality could have the potential to rehabilitate those who got brain damage from a stroke. Stroke patients often lose various cognitive functions during recovery, some taking years to regain partial control. A stroke is when the blood supply to the brain is reduced, or even blocked. This results in dead brain cells, which ultimately leads to a lack of oxygen in the brain, making this a clear medical emergency. 

***If someone you know experiences any stroke symptoms, receive medical help immediately! Common symptoms include: 

• Numbness/paralysis on one side

• Headaches

• Trouble speaking or understanding language

• Visions Problems

• Walking Troubles

How Does Virtual Reality Relate To Strokes?

Cognitive functions may deteriorate following the loss of oxygen in the brain, which is why stroke recovery is important. Cognitive function recovery may be linked to virtual reality therapy, which has been tested by numerous studies that uncovered the extent to which VR facilitated a stroke patient’s cognitive recovery.  

In many of the studies already done, the VR technology was used to simulate real life activities that the stroke patients may want to get back into, from simple cooking to even operating motor vehicles digitally! What makes the VR resources even more helpful, is that they simulate a range of activities, from broad to specific skill sets that patients may want to improve on. In ICU settings, Virtual Reality therapy showcased psychological and physical improvements in mental rehabilitation. Following this virtual reality has had clear signs on improving cognitive skills from these simulations and increasing memory alongside attention spans. 

Virtual Reality Opens The Doors To Rehabilitation

Despite there still being only a handful of conclusive studies done, virtual reality does showcase a possibility of extreme growth in the rehabilitation of stroke patients. Experiencing a stroke often affects the patient’s mindset on recovery, but utilizing modern technology to benefit cognitive habits will restore hope into recovering patients while advancing the medical field further.

Bibliography

Brown, Robert. “Stroke.” Mayo Clinic, 2024, www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/stroke/symptoms-causes/syc-20350113.

Gunawan, Hendry, et al. “Virtual Reality Intervention for Improving Cognitive Function in Post-Stroke Patient: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.” Brain Disorders, vol. 15, 11 July 2024, pp. 100152–100152, www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2666459324000374, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dscb.2024.100152.

‌‌Kim, Bo Ryun, et al. “Effect of Virtual Reality on Cognition in Stroke Patients.” Annals of Rehabilitation Medicine, vol. 35, no. 4, 2011, p. 450, https://doi.org/10.5535/arm.2011.35.4.450.

‌Schollmeier, Rachel. “Virtual Reality for Neurorehabilitation: Mechanisms, Modalities, and Clinical Applications.” Ncs_hub_dnn091100_dev, 18 July 2025, currents.neurocriticalcare.org/Leading-Insights/Article/virtual-reality-for-neurorehabilitation-mechanisms-modalities-and-clinical-applications.