VR Gaming Based PNF on Spatiotemporal Parameters in Upper Limb Burned Patients

NCT ID: NCT07183943

Last Updated: 2026-01-13

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 150 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2025-10-01
• Study Completion Date: 2026-01-05

Brief Summary

Burn injuries are among the most severe forms of trauma, often leading to significant physical and psychological challenges. The rehabilitation process for burn patients, particularly those with upper limb injuries, is complex due to the need for restoring functional movement and reducing scar contracture. Traditional rehabilitation methods focus on restoring range of motion, muscle strength, and coordination. However, these approaches can be limited in engaging patients and maintaining their motivation throughout the recovery process.

Detailed Description

Upper limb burn injury (ULBI) often leads to significant dysfunction . Severe pain, limited range of motion in the joint and kinesiophobia may affect upper limb functionality and activities of daily living in the acute term of injury . Increased pain and limitations in range of motion and function of the upper limb may cause deterioration in reciprocal arm swing which plays a substantial role in gait pattern by contributing to the co-ordination of the trunk, pelvis and leg movements, reducing energy expenditure and improving gait stability and balance.

Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) is a therapeutic exercise technique used to enhance both passive and active range of motion with the aim of improving neuromuscular control and coordination. By integrating PNF with innovative technologies such as Virtual Reality (VR) gaming systems, rehabilitation can be transformed into an engaging and immersive experience. VR provides a unique environment that can simulate real-life scenarios, offering a controlled yet dynamic setting that encourages active participation and motivation.

Conditions

Burns

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: DOUBLE

Study Groups

Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF)

In the PNF group, The PNF sequence included scapula, upper limb, Training was performed in different positions

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF)

Intervention Type: OTHER

Training was performed in different positions (decubitus, sitting, and standing) according to the specific exercise. the participants performed 10 minutes of diagonal scapula exercises (anterior and posterior elevation) and 30 minutes of upper limb diagonals (Flexion-Abduction-External Rotation and Extension-Abduction-Internal Rotation), including the 5 initial minutes of stretching.

Visual reality (VR)

In the VR group, the tasks were performed with the aid of a Nintendo Wii device.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Visual reality (VR)

Intervention Type: OTHER

The site of the intervention was a 20-square-meter room equipped with a multimedia projector, which projected the image on the wall at a height of 1 m and 20 cm. A professional physical therapist supervised the treatment continuously, and every participant received prior instructions on the conduct of the games. The therapeutic protocol included 4 electronic games: Balance Bubble Plus, Rhythm Parade, Tennis, and Box.

PNF and VR

The PNF/VR group performed both PNF and VR exercises. The duration of the exercises was modified so that half of the time was devoted to PNF and the other half to VR

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

PNF and VR

Intervention Type: OTHER

The total duration of the sessions remained consistent. The participants performed 5 minutes of scapula diagonals and 15 minutes of upper limb diagonals in the weekly session. The games for the PNF/VR group were the same as those for the VR group, except for their duration. Whereas they were performed for 20 minutes each in the VR group, the session including 5 minutes of stretching.

Control group

No intervention

Group Type: NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

Proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF)

Training was performed in different positions (decubitus, sitting, and standing) according to the specific exercise. the participants performed 10 minutes of diagonal scapula exercises (anterior and posterior elevation) and 30 minutes of upper limb diagonals (Flexion-Abduction-External Rotation and Extension-Abduction-Internal Rotation), including the 5 initial minutes of stretching.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Visual reality (VR)

The site of the intervention was a 20-square-meter room equipped with a multimedia projector, which projected the image on the wall at a height of 1 m and 20 cm. A professional physical therapist supervised the treatment continuously, and every participant received prior instructions on the conduct of the games. The therapeutic protocol included 4 electronic games: Balance Bubble Plus, Rhythm Parade, Tennis, and Box.

Intervention Type: OTHER

PNF and VR

The total duration of the sessions remained consistent. The participants performed 5 minutes of scapula diagonals and 15 minutes of upper limb diagonals in the weekly session. The games for the PNF/VR group were the same as those for the VR group, except for their duration. Whereas they were performed for 20 minutes each in the VR group, the session including 5 minutes of stretching.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Clinical diagnosis of unilateral upper extremity burn injury
• must be able to walk independently
• Agreeing to participate voluntarily in the study
• 18-65 years of age
• the ability to accurately express the level of pain that prevents cognitive, affective and verbal communication

Exclusion Criteria

• Walking with assist device
• Having a visual deficits
• Having an orthopedic problems that affect gait
• Having a neurological disorders
• Having a musculoskeletal disorders that affect gait
• Having an undergone orthopedic surgery

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 65 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

MTI University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Ahmed Mohamed Ahmed Abd El hady El Fahl,ph.d

Assisstant professor

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

faculty of physical therapy ,Cairo University

Cairo, , Egypt

Countries

Egypt

Other Identifiers

P.T.REC/012/005914

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id