Gait and balance training using virtual reality is more effective for improving gait and balance ability after stroke than conventional training without virtual reality [synopsis]

BACKGROUND Virtual reality (VR) balance training are increasingly being pursued in biomedical research and specifically with respect to investigating the balance ability with VR .However, Existing systematic reviews have found inconsistent conclusions about the efficacy of VR in improving balance in parkinson’s disease patients (PD). OBJECTIVE To evaluate the impact of VR balance training on the balance ability of patients with PD. METHODS All major databases, including Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) and Wanfang, were searched to identify all relevant studies published in English or Chinese since September 15th, 2010. Two researchers independently conducted document retrieval, study selection, data extraction, and methodological quality evaluation. RESULTS 16 randomized controlled trials were analyzed (N = 583 patients with PD), with the methodological quality evaluation score ranging from 5 to 8 points. A random effects model was selected to combine effect sizes. Meta-analysis showed that the balance ability of PD was significantly improved after VR training compared with the control group.(standardized mean difference(SMD) = 2.127, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.202 - 3.052, P < 0.01, I2 = 95.1, df = 15). It is worth noting that intervention platform may be the main reason for heterogeneity. Meta regression analysis showed that no training program could predict the impact of VR training (P = 0.567-0.938) on PD balance ability. CONCLUSIONS The present meta-analysis verifies the potential rehabilitative effects of VR balance training for Parkinson disease.

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Virtual Reality Therapy for Balance Training in Aging and Neurological Disorders

Journal of Advanced Neuroscience Research ◽

10.15379/2409-3564.2016.03.01.01 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

Jorge Alves ◽

◽

Adriana Santos

Keyword(s):

Virtual Reality ◽

Neurological Disorders ◽

Balance Training ◽

Reality Therapy ◽

Virtual Reality Therapy

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Virtual Reality Gait Training to Promote Balance and Gait Among Older People: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Geriatrics ◽

10.3390/geriatrics6010001 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 1

Author(s):

Kyeongjin Lee

Keyword(s):

Virtual Reality ◽

The Elderly ◽

Gait Training ◽

Control Group ◽

Timed Up And Go ◽

Elderly Individuals ◽

Functional Reach Test ◽

Balance Ability ◽

Standing Test ◽

The One

Falls are the leading cause of injury and injury-related death in the elderly. This study evaluated the effect of virtual reality gait training (VRGT) with non-motorized treadmill on balance and gait ability of elderly individuals who had experienced a fall. Fifty-six elderly individuals living in local communities participated in this study. Subjects who met the selection criteria were randomly divided into a VRGT group (n = 28) and a control group (n = 28). The VRGT group received VRGT with non-motorized treadmill for 50 min a day for 4 weeks and 5 days a week. The control group received non-motorized treadmill gait training without virtual reality for the same amount of time as the VRGT group. Before and after the training, the one-leg-standing test, Berg Balance Scale, Functional Reach test, and Timed Up and Go test were used to assess balance ability, and the gait analyzer system was used to evaluate the improvement in gait spatiotemporal parameters. In the VRGT group, the balance ability variable showed a significant decrease in the one-leg-standing test and a significant improvement in the Timed Up and Go test. With respect to spatiotemporal gait parameters, velocity and step width decreased significantly in the VRGT group (p < 0.05), and stride length and step length were significantly improved in the VRGT group (p < 0.05). VRGT with non-motorized treadmill has been shown to improve balance and gait ability in the elderly. This study is expected to provide basic data on exercise programs for the elderly to prevent falls.

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Role of Virtual Reality in Balance Training in Patients with Spinal Cord Injury: A Prospective Comparative Pre-Post Study

Asian Spine Journal ◽

10.31616/asj.2019.0013 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 51-58 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Madhusree Sengupta ◽

Anupam Gupta ◽

Meeka Khanna ◽

U. K. Rashmi Krishnan ◽

Dhritiman Chakrabarti

Keyword(s):

Spinal Cord ◽

Spinal Cord Injury ◽

Virtual Reality ◽

Balance Training ◽

Cord Injury

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Combination of the Kinect with Virtual Reality in Balance Training for the Elderly

Engineering ◽

10.4236/eng.2013.510b037 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 05 (10) ◽

pp. 171-175 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Wei-Min Hsieh ◽

Chih-Chen Chen ◽

Shih-Chuan Wang ◽

Yu-Luen Chen ◽

Yuh-Shyan Hwang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Virtual Reality ◽

Balance Training ◽

The Elderly

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Effects of virtual reality exergame on psychophysiological and postural disorders in elderly patients

Bulletin of Russian State Medical University ◽

10.24075/brsmu.2021.058 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

AE Khizhnikova ◽

AS Klochkov ◽

AA Fuks ◽

AM Kotov-Smolenskiy ◽

NA Suponeva ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Virtual Reality ◽

Elderly Patients ◽

Vascular Disease ◽

Balance Control ◽

Balance Training ◽

Medical Problem ◽

Rehabilitation Program ◽

Advanced Age ◽

Balance Impairment ◽

Underlying Causes

Balance impairment at advanced age is a serious medical problem that often has significant implications and affects the quality of the patient’s life. Among the underlying causes are overall slowness of motor response and vestibular syndrome. Virtual reality exergames, including reaction and balance training, hold promise for managing balance dysfunction. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a combination rehabilitation program containing elements of virtual reality exergame on the postural and psychophysiological parameters of elderly patients with small vascular disease The study was conducted in 24 patients with small vascular disease (median age: 66 years). All patients underwent a virtual reality rehabilitation program. Psychophysiological, postural and clinical evaluations were performed at baseline and after the program was completed. Balance function measured on the Berg scale improved significantly and was 53 [52; 55] after the training program vs 50 [45; 54] at baseline (p < 0.05). The strategy of balance control also changed: the Romberg ratio was 266 [199.5; 478.5] before rehabilitation and 221 [149.25; 404] after the program was completed (p < 0.05). The most pronounced changes in the measured psychophysiological parameters occurred in the simple audiomotor reaction, which improved from 210 [174.25; 245.5] at baseline to 180.5 [170.5; 208] after rehabilitation (p < 0.05). Thus, the combination balance and reaction virtual reality training is an effective rehabilitation method for advanced-age patients with balance impairment.

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