Cognitive impairments and use of feedback for arm motor recovery in stroke

The influence of cognitive impairments on the ability to use motor-related feedback to improve reaching in a 3D virtual environment (VE) was compared to that in a similar physical environment (PE) in 24 subjects (n=12/group) with chronic post-stroke hemiparesis. The VE group had greater increases in elbow and shoulder ranges of motion, used less trunk displacement and tended to make faster movements following training. PE group changes were related to memory and problem solving ability. VE group improvements correlated with memory, problem solving and perceptual abilities. Influence of cognitive impairments should be considered while planning interventions using VEs.