Effects of kinesthetic illusion induced by visual stimulation (KINVIS) therapy on patients with stroke in the subacute phase: a visual analysis based on paralysis severity

ABSTRACT

We explored the effect of kinesthetic illusion induced by visual stimulation (KINVIS) therapy on motor function in patients with stroke during the subacute phase based on paralysis severity. The study was performed using an ABAB design (A1, B1, A2, B2; for 10 days each). KINVIS therapy was additionally administered in periods B1 and B2. Ten patients with stroke were classified according to severity. The improvement in upper limb motor function was higher after B1 and B2 than after A1 and A2 in the moderate group. The effect of KINVIS therapy increases the degree of improvement in motor function, especially in the moderate group.

KEYWORDS:

• Stroke
• upper limb motor function
• kinesthetic illusion induced by visual stimulation
• ABAB study design
• subacute phase

Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Dr. Junya Shindo and Dr. Satoshi Koyama (Asahikawa Rehabilitation Hospital, Shindo Medical Corporation) for their cooperation in conducting the clinical research. We would also like to thank Editage for English language editing.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Author contributions

1. Study concept and design: Fuminari Kaneko, Toru Inada, Naoki Matsuda, Seiji Motozawa, and Eriko Shibata

2. Recruiting patients: Toru Inada

3. Implementation intervention and examination: Toru Inada, Naoki Matsuda, Seiji Motozawa, and Masaki Yoneta

4. Analysis and interpretation of data: Fuminari Kaneko, Megumi Okawada, and Masaki Yoneta

5. Drafting of the manuscript: All authors

6. Preparation of the manuscript: Fuminari Kaneko, Megumi Okawada, and Shun Sasaki

Clinical messages

1. KINVIS therapy may increase the degree of improvement in motor function in subacute patients with stroke at least in the moderately affected group.

2. Future higher-quality studies using KINVIS therapy, such as RCTs, are feasible in patients with subacute stroke.

Sponsor’s Role

The sponsor had no role in the study design, data analysis, or interpretation.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) (Grant Numbers JP18he0402255 and JP21he2302006).