In a new entry in our series "CUREosity Explains," we take a closer look at what a stroke is, its causes, and treatment options. We demonstrate that VR therapy is increasingly recommended for stroke rehabilitation and that our CUREO system is specifically designed for such therapy.
A stroke,also known as an apoplexy, is a sudden disruption of blood circulation in the brain that can lead to neurological deficits. Stroke is the second leading cause of death worldwide and one of the most common causes of disability in adults. 40% of stroke survivors experience long-term limitations in daily activities.
There are two main types:
Common stroke symptoms include:
The FAST test helps identify a stroke quickly:
Every minute counts: Up to 1.9 million neurons can be irreversibly damaged per minute.
In hospitals, brain hemorrhages are primarily identified through CT scans. The acute treatment often involves thrombolysis (medication to dissolvea blood clot) or mechanical thrombectomy (catheter-assisted removal of a clot). After addressing the acute cause, early rehabilitation should begin, including diagnostics for deficits (e.g., swallowing disorders) and therapies to prevent further deterioration and maximize recovery. Physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy are commonly used approaches.
According to the S3 Guidelines of the German Society for Neurorehabilitation (DGNR), the following is noted:
"The effectiveness of VR-based therapies varied in the evaluated studies. Superiority was most evident when VR therapy was used in addition to conventional rehabilitation and at sufficient intensity. The therapy content and dosage of each system should be tailored to individual therapy goals. Specialized rehabilitation systems may be more effective than commercial gaming consoles, and the use of a haptic interface can be beneficial." (S3 Guidelines DGNR, p. 127–128)
The S3 Guidelines serve as an evidence-based recommendation for various rehabilitation methods, offering therapists a scientifically grounded decision-making basis. The guidelines highlight that VR therapy, particularly in combination with conventional therapies, can have positive effects on motor rehabilitation. Additionally, they emphasize that VR systems specifically designed for rehabilitation may be therapeutically more effective than commercial gaming consoles.
Recent clinical studies further strengthen the evidence base for the use of VR therapy in stroke rehabilitation. A 2024 feasibility study conducted at the University Hospital Essen demonstrated that VR therapy using systems like CUREO can already be implemented during the acute phase of stroke care, including on the stroke unit. Patients showed high levels of motivation, and therapists reported good integration into daily routines (Kühne Escolà et al., 2024).
In a 2023 comparative study published in Frontiers in Neurology, immersive VR therapy was associated with significantly greater improvements in upper limb functionality compared to robotic-assisted training. These findings support the use of VR therapy not only in later rehabilitation stages but also as an early, high-frequency intervention to promote neuroplasticity and functional recovery (Lülsdorff et al., 2023).
DGNR – Deutsche Gesellschaft für Neurorehabilitation. (2020). S3-Leitlinie – Rehabilitative Therapie bei Armparese nach Schlaganfall (AWMF-Registernummer 080-001). AWMF. https://www.awmf.org/leitlinien/detail/ll/080-001.html
Kühne Escolà, J., Demirdas, R., Schulze, M., Chae, W. H., Milles, L. S., Pommeranz, D., Oppong, M. D., Kleinschnitz, C., Köhrmann, M., & Frank, B. (2024). Virtual reality-guided therapy on a stroke unit: A feasibility study. Neurological Research and Practice, 6(1), 60. https://doi.org/10.1186/s42466-024-00357-w
Lülsdorff, K., Junker, F. B., Studer, B., Wittenberg, H., Pickenbrock, H., & Schmidt-Wilcke, T. (2023). Neurorehabilitation of the upper extremity – immersive virtual reality vs. electromechanically assisted training: A comparative study. Frontiers in Neurology, 14, 1290637. https://doi.org/10.3389/fneur.2023.1290637
The information presented in this article is based on current scientific research and practical experience with the CUREO system in the context of physician-prescribed rehabilitation measures. Individual therapy outcomes and effects cannot be guaranteed. This article does not replace professional medical or therapeutic consultation.
