Virtual reality headsets tested to boost brain recovery after stroke

This small, completed pilot study tested whether adding virtual reality (VR) exercises to standard stroke rehabilitation could help improve patients' thinking skills and ability to perform daily tasks. Thirty-six adults who had a recent stroke and showed some thinking difficulties were randomly assigned to receive either standard rehab alone or standard rehab plus two weeks of VR training. The goal was to see if the VR group showed better improvements in memory, attention, and independence.