Stroke rehabilitation, particularly upper limb recovery, remains one of the most challenging aspects of post stroke care. Survivors are often required to repeat the same movements over and over again to rebuild strength and coordination. While effective, traditional rehabilitation can be repetitive, time intensive, and difficult for patients to stay motivated with over long periods.
At the same time, therapists face increasing pressure to deliver higher intensity rehabilitation within limited timeframes, while meeting evolving stroke recovery guidelines. Balancing patient engagement, clinical effectiveness, and efficiency is a constant challenge.
To explore a new approach, Belfast Health and Social Care Trust partnered with eXRt to trial a virtual reality based rehabilitation programme designed specifically to support stroke recovery.
The Pilot Programme
Over a six month period, stroke patients within the Trust’s stroke unit participated in a pilot combining conventional occupational therapy with Resynk, eXRt’s VR rehabilitation platform.
Each patient completed:
- 3 to 5 VR therapy sessions using Resynk
- 3 to 5 traditional therapy sessions
- Sessions lasted approximately 30 minutes each
The primary aim was to compare:
- The number of upper limb movement repetitions achieved
- Patient engagement and experience
- Ease of integration into clinical workflows
Why Resynk Is Different
Resynk is designed to turn standard rehabilitation exercises into immersive, gamified experiences. Using virtual reality, patients complete therapy tasks through interactive, arcade style games that provide real time feedback, challenges, and rewards.
This approach shifts rehabilitation away from repetitive, monotonous exercises and towards a more engaging, motivating experience without compromising clinical value.
Importantly, Resynk is flexible enough to be used:
- At the patient’s bedside
- In a seated position
- Within a rehabilitation room
This makes it particularly suitable for stroke patients with limited mobility and for busy clinical environments.
The Results
The outcomes of the pilot were striking.
Patients using Resynk completed between 200% and 500% more upper limb repetitions compared to conventional therapy alone. In one instance, a patient achieved nearly 800 repetitions in a single session — far exceeding what is typically possible within a standard appointment.
Increased repetition is widely recognised as a key factor in neuroplasticity and functional recovery, making these results especially significant.
Patient and Clinician Feedback
The benefits weren’t limited to measurable outcomes.
Patients consistently reported:
- Higher levels of engagement
- Increased motivation during sessions
- Improved mood and a more positive outlook on their recovery
Therapists also highlighted how easy Resynk was to integrate into existing practice, with the added advantage of saving time and increasing therapy intensity without extending session lengths.
Emma Dunn, Advanced Practitioner Level 2 Occupational Therapist involved in the pilot, shared:
“Using Resynk in our clinical practice has allowed me to offer more rehabilitation intensity to patients within the same time as a conventional therapy session. I see huge potential in patient outcomes, therapist efficiency, and overall recovery timelines.”
The Future of Stroke Rehabilitation
This case study demonstrates that virtual reality is no longer just a novelty in healthcare. When implemented thoughtfully, it can be a powerful tool to enhance rehabilitation outcomes, improve patient motivation, and support clinicians in delivering high-quality care more efficiently.
By increasing therapy intensity and engagement while fitting seamlessly into clinical workflows, VR technology like Resynk is helping to shape the future of modern stroke rehabilitation.
Interested in Seeing Resynk in Action?
If you’d like to explore how Resynk could support stroke rehabilitation in your clinic or service, we’d be happy to demonstrate its capabilities.
📧 Contact us at: info@exrt.io to book a demo and see how virtual reality can transform rehabilitation outcomes.