Multimodal assessment of neuroplasticity in the neurorehabilitation process using virtual reality technology: a case study
Main Article Content
Abstract
Aim: To evaluate neuroplastic changes during a neurorehabilitation protocol mediated by a serious video game in virtual reality using a multimodal assessment.
Methods: Case study with 18 serious video game sessions. The following were recorded: (i) clinical evolution using the Fugl"Meyer Assessment, (ii) in-game performance, (iii) task functional magnetic resonance imaging with motor paradigms (unilateral and bilateral), and (iv) resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging.
Results: The total Fugl"Meyer Assessment increased from 52 (T0) to 61 points (T2), with greater gains in "upper limb" and "coordination/speed." Performance in the serious video game showed progression in line with clinically planned levels. In task functional magnetic resonance imaging, a significant difference was observed in the bilateral paradigm (Wilcoxon, p=0.0016), consistent with functional reorganisation. In resting state functional magnetic resonance imaging, there was evidence of increased interhemispheric connectivity between Precentral Gyrus, Postcentral Gyrus and Supplementary Motor Cortex and a more organised pattern of the somatomotor network compared to T0; connectivity approximated the normotypical reference pattern.
Conclusion: serious video game -mediated intervention is associated with clinical improvements and markers of neuroplasticity measured by functional magnetic resonance imaging; the proposed multimodal strategy is viable for quantifying functional reorganisation during rehabilitation and warrants further study in larger cohorts.
Keywords:
Serious Game, fMRI, Neurorehabilitation, Neuroplasticity, Virtual Reality
Article Details
How to Cite
YANADEL, Alejandro R. et al.
Multimodal assessment of neuroplasticity in the neurorehabilitation process using virtual reality technology: a case study.
Medical Research Archives, [S.l.], v. 13, n. 12, dec. 2025.
ISSN 2375-1924.
Available at: <https://esmed.org/MRA/mra/article/view/7130>. Date accessed: 02 jan. 2026.
doi: https://doi.org/10.18103/mra.v13i12.7130.
Section
Case Reports
The Medical Research Archives grants authors the right to publish and reproduce the unrevised contribution in whole or in part at any time and in any form for any scholarly non-commercial purpose with the condition that all publications of the contribution include a full citation to the journal as published by the Medical Research Archives.
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6. Menekseoglu AK, Capan N, Arman S, Aydin AR. Effect of a Virtual Reality-Mediated Gamified Rehabilitation Program on Upper Limb Functions in Children with Hemiplegic Cerebral Palsy: A Prospective, Randomized Controlled Study. Am J Phys Med Rehabil. 2023;102(3):198-205. doi:10.10 97/PHM.0000000000002060
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8. Choi JY, Yi SH, Shim D, Yoo B, Park ES, Rha DW. Home-based virtual reality-enhanced upper limb training system in children with brain injury: a randomized controlled trial. Front Pediatr. 2023;11 :1131573. doi:10.3389/FPED.2023.1131573/BIBTEX
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11. Vezér M, Gresits O, Engh MA, et al. Effectiveness of Video-Game-Based Therapy to Improve Hand Function in Children with Cerebral Palsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. J Clin Med. 2024;13(24):7524. doi:10.3390/JCM13247524/S1
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