The effectiveness of sensorimotor function retraining is influenced by the quantity,
duration, and intensity of practice.15–21 High-intensity exercise programs are often
fraught with low compliance and adherence. Exercise adherence is a significant hurdle
to overcome, especially in the presence of a long-term chronic illness. Maintaining
motivation and engagement are central to long-term functional improvement and
success. Self-worth, motivation, and activity enjoyment have been reported to be vital
to long-term exercise adherence.22,23 It has also been suggested that when a client
‘‘focuses’’ on a game than his or her impairment, exercise becomes more enjoyable,
motivating, and is more likely to be maintained over the many trials needed to induce
plastic changes in the nervous system.24–26 Providing a treatment that is fun, motivating,
and distracting while simultaneously enhancing function would serve to
improve exercise adherence and, therefore, effect motor learning and functional
outcomes. One method that is showing great potential to meet this need is the use
of VR games for rehabilitation.