Effectiveness of motion visualization through immersive video in patients with hemophilic arthropathy of the ankle

Research Objectives: To investigate the efficacy of a 180º immersive motion visualization intervention in patients with hemophilic ankle arthropathy.

Design: Multicenter cohort study.

Setting: The study was conducted in three regional Hemophilia Patient Associations.

Participants: 15 volunteer patients with hemophilia were recruited, mean age: 42.73 (standard deviation: 12.36) years. All patients had a diagnosis of hemophilia A or B, bilateral ankle arthropathy, and were older than 18 years. Patients with central neurological or visual problems were excluded. No patient suffered adverse effects, and all completed the study and follow-up period.

Interventions: A home intervention was carried out for 28 consecutive days by visualizing ankle flexion-extension movement with 180º immersive video. The duration of each session was 15 minutes. The subjects used their own smartphone coupled to VR glasses, using a mobile application designed ad hoc for the study (HEMirror®). The subjects had to remain seated in a chair with their knees flexed and their feet resting on the floor only on the heel.

Main Outcome Measures: The primary study outcome measurements were joint health (Hemophilia Joint Health Score), range of motion (goniometry) and perceived pain intensity (Visual Analogue Scale).

Results: After the intervention there was improvement (p < 0.05) in joint health (Means difference [MD]: 1.20; 95% confidence interval [95%IC]: 0.89–1.50; Effect size [ES]: 0.48), range of motion (MD: 1.19; 95%IC: 0.80-1.58; ES: 0.53) and perceived pain intensity (MD: -3.27; 95%IC: -4.76- -1.77; ES: 0.20).

Conclusions: Immersive video motion visualization is safe in hemophilia patients. This intervention can improve joint health, perceived pain intensity and joint range in patients with hemophilic ankle arthropathy.

Author(s) Disclosures: The authors certify that there are no conflicts of interest with any financial organization regarding the material discussed in the manuscript.