Efficacy of Virtual Reality Exercises in STroke Rehabilitation: A Multicentre Study (EVREST Multicentre)

Inclusion Criteria: * Patient has provided written informed consent prior to entry into the study * Males or females, aged 18 to 85 years * In-patient at the time of randomization * Evidence of ischemic stroke confirmed by CT or MRI head scan * Patients with onset of symptoms less than 3 months at time of randomization * Measurable deficit of the upper extremity (arm) equal to or greater than 3 according to the Chedoke McMaster scale (e.g.: participants should be able to touch their chin and contralateral knee to be eligible) * Functional independence prior to present stroke (baseline mRS = 0-1) * Patient is alert, medically stable according to the treating physician and able to follow simple verbal commands Exclusion Criteria: * Acute stroke onset more than 3 months ago * Patient is unable to follow verbal commands or has global aphasia * Severe illness and life expectancy less than 3 months (cancer, endocarditis, metastasis with an occult primary malignancy, coagulopathy) * Uncontrolled hypertension according to the treating physician * Unstable angina or recent myocardial infarction (within the last 3 months), current NY Heart Association Class III (marked limitation of physical activity; although patients are comfortable at rest, less-than-ordinary activity leads to fatigue, dyspnea, palpitations, or angina) or IV (symptomatic at rest; symptoms of CHF are present at rest; discomfort increases with any physical activity) or symptomatic ventricular tachyarrhythmias, as per medical history (a baseline ECG will not be required.) * Any history of seizure, except for febrile seizures of childhood * Pain or joint problems limiting movement of the arm (e.g. shoulder pain) * Participation in another clinical trial involving rehabilitation (recreational therapy, occupational therapy, physiotherapy) or involving an investigational drug * Patient is unwilling or unable to comply with the protocol or cannot / will not cooperate fully with the investigator or study personnel * Any condition(s) that, in the Investigator's opinion, would a) warrant exclusion from the study (i.e., participation in the study is not in the best interest of the patient) or b) prevent the patient from completing the study. * Any medical condition that might confound the interpretation of results or put the patient at risk (amputation of one extremity). Enrollment Criteria * Upon meeting all eligibility criteria and providing written informed consent, the patient will be enrolled into the study contingent on successfully completing a one hour training session with Virtual Reality Wii.