Improving Balance in Adults With Intellectual Developmental Disorder via Virtual Environments

2021 ◽  
pp. 003151252110497
Author(s):  
Meir Lotan ◽  
Patrice L. Weiss
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Virtual Environments ◽  
Developmental Disorder ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Timed Up And Go ◽  
Balance Problems ◽  
Interest And Motivation ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
Intellectual Developmental Disorder ◽  
Virtual Game

Balance problems have been found among 57% of adults with Intellectual Developmental Disorder (IDD). Moreover, these adults have only partially participated in conventional activity programs. There is a clear need for new interventions that will enhance these individuals’ interest and motivation toward improving their balance skills. Virtual gaming training experiences are a promising prospect in that regard. The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of virtual reality games on improving balance for adults with IDD. We recruited 31 individuals with mild-moderate IDD who had fallen at least twice in the year prior to initiating this intervention, and we evaluated these participants using the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test. The participants were randomly assigned to control and experimental groups, and only the latter group took part in a series of twelve 30-minute bi-weekly virtual game sessions, designed to improve balance using the SeeMe virtual game system. We found significant (p < .001) pre-post improvements in balance abilities in the experimental group and no significant pre-post change in the control group (p < .77). These data suggest that virtual game technology is a viable tool for improving balance among adults with IDD.

scholarly journals Lower Extremity Rehabilitation in Patients with Post-Stroke Sequelae through Virtual Reality Associated with Mirror Therapy

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 2654
Author(s):  
Roxana Steliana Miclaus ◽  
Nadinne Roman ◽  
Ramona Henter ◽  
Silviu Caloian
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Range Of Motion ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Mirror Therapy ◽  
Cohen’S D ◽  
Cohen's D ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
Post Therapy

More innovative technologies are used worldwide in patient’s rehabilitation after stroke, as it represents a significant cause of disability. The majority of the studies use a single type of therapy in therapeutic protocols. We aimed to identify if the association of virtual reality (VR) therapy and mirror therapy (MT) exercises have better outcomes in lower extremity rehabilitation in post-stroke patients compared to standard physiotherapy. Fifty-nine inpatients from 76 initially identified were included in the research. One experimental group (n = 31) received VR therapy and MT, while the control group (n = 28) received standard physiotherapy. Each group performed seventy minutes of therapy per day for ten days. Statistical analysis was performed with nonparametric tests. Wilcoxon Signed-Rank test showed that both groups registered significant differences between pre-and post-therapy clinical status for the range of motion and muscle strength (p < 0.001 and Cohen’s d between 0.324 and 0.645). Motor Fugl Meyer Lower Extremity Assessment also suggested significant differences pre-and post-therapy for both groups (p < 0.05 and Cohen’s d 0.254 for the control group and 0.685 for the experimental group). Mann-Whitney results suggested that VR and MT as a therapeutic intervention have better outcomes than standard physiotherapy in range of motion (p < 0.05, Cohen’s d 0.693), muscle strength (p < 0.05, Cohen’s d 0.924), lower extremity functionality (p < 0.05, Cohen’s d 0.984) and postural balance (p < 0.05, Cohen’s d 0.936). Our research suggests that VR therapy associated with MT may successfully substitute classic physiotherapy in lower extremity rehabilitation after stroke.

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

Geriatrics ◽  
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.

scholarly journals Development and Effects of a Nursing Education Program Using Virtual Reality for Enhancing Clinical Decision-Making Ability in Respiratory Disease Nursing Care

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 458-469
Author(s):  
Eun Ju Lee ◽  
Min Jung Ryu
Keyword(s):  
Decision Making ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Nursing Education ◽  
Respiratory Disease ◽  
Nursing Care ◽  
Clinical Decision Making ◽  
Clinical Decision ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Simulation Education ◽  
Experimental Group

Purpose: This study was conducted to develop and examine the effects of a nursing education program using virtual reality to enhance clinical decision-making ability in respiratory disease nursing care by assessing students’ confidence in performance, clinical decision-making ability, practice flow, class evaluations, and simulation design evaluations.Methods: This study was developed based on the Jeffries simulation model and 5E learning cycle model, blending a virtual reality simulation and high-fidelity simulation. The participants were 41 third-year nursing students with no virtual reality and simulation education experience. The experimental group (n=21) received the virtual reality program, while the control group (n=20) received traditional simulation education. Data were collected from March 8 to May 28, 2021 and analyzed using SPSS version 27 for Windows.Results: Statistically significant differences were found between the experimental group and the control group post-intervention in confidence in performance (F=4.88, p=.33) and clinical decision-making ability (F=18.68, p＜.001). The experimental group showed significant increases in practice flow (t=2.34, p=.024) and class evaluations (t=2.99, p=.005) compared to the control group.Conclusion: Nursing education programs using virtual reality to enhance clinical decision-making ability in respiratory disease nursing care can be an effective educational strategy in the clinical context.

scholarly journals Wired to Exit: Exploring the Effects of Wayfinding Affordances in Underground Facilities Using Virtual Reality

2020 ◽  
pp. 104687812094456
Author(s):  
Panos Kostakos ◽  
Paula Alavesa ◽  
Mikko Korkiakoski ◽  
Mario Monteiro Marques ◽  
Victor Lobo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Head Mounted Display ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Parking Lot ◽  
Biometric Measurements ◽  
Physiological Outcomes ◽  
High Level ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
Level Effect

Background Wayfinding has been adopted in several intense evacuation and navigation simulations; however, the use of biometric measurements for characterizing physiological outcomes has been somewhat overlooked and applied only under limited laboratory conditions. Methods Twenty-four participants took part in a virtual reality (VR) experiment using a wayfinding installation with the Oculus Rift S head-mounted display (HMD). They were immersed in a simulation of a burning underground parking lot and tasked to navigate to the exit. The purpose of this research was to investigate the high-level effect of wayfinding assistive lights on behavioral, physiological, and psychological outcomes. Participants were split into two groups: the control group was exposed to a scene without assistive lights, and the experimental group was exposed to the same scene with assistive lights. Results Results indicate there was no statistically significant difference between the groups in traveled distance, pauses, turns, or game completion time. Curiously, differences between the two groups in heart rate (HR) outcomes were found to be statistically significant, with subjects in the control group displaying an increasing HR trend during simulation. Conclusions This finding, in accordance with previous studies that have shown the efficacy of landmarks and wayfinding affordances in reducing cognitive demands, suggests that assistive lights might contribute to improved brain wiring connectivity during the game. We discuss these findings in the context of a rich wayfinding affordances literature.

scholarly journals 130 Impact of Balance Training in Virtual Reality on Body Balance in Patients after Total HIP Replacement

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (Supplement_4) ◽  
pp. iv28-iv33
Author(s):  
Anna Hadamus ◽  
Dariusz Białoszewski ◽  
Aleksandra Justyna Kowalska ◽  
Edyta Urbaniak ◽  
Rafał Boratyński ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Total Hip Replacement ◽  
Hip Replacement ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Forward Movement ◽  
Body Balance ◽  
Total Hip ◽  
Vr Training ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Experimental Group

Abstract Introduction Virtual Reality (VR) training is becoming an increasingly popular form of exercise aiding in re-education of body balance. Many reports have demonstrated its effectiveness, greater patient involvement in exercise and better outcomes compared to traditional rehabilitation [1]. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the additional training in VR on body balance in patients after total hip replacement. Material and Methods 56 patients randomly assigned to an experimental group (30 people) and a control group (26 people) was included in the study. All patients had undergone THR within 2 to 12 weeks before the beginning of the study. The control group underwent standard post-operative rehabilitation, while a VR training programme was used in the experimental group as an additional rehabilitation tool. Balance was assessed with the VBC system and the AMTi AccuSway plate. The results were considered significant for p &lt;0.05. Results CoP displacement in the frontal plane was reduced in both groups in tests with eyes closed (p&lt;0.05). Other parameters in standing tests remain the same. The maximum forward deflection test has shown a significant increase in the range of forward movement in the experimental group (p &lt;0.05). In the control group, the duration of the forward movement phase was reduced, but the range remained the same. The rhythmic sway test showed an increase in the average speed of movements in the experimental group (p &lt;0.05). There were no changes in the control group. Conclusions 1. Postural stability training in VR primarily involves dynamic aspects of the maintenance of balance. 2. Improvement in functional tests may indicate a better clinical outcome of rehabilitation in patients who have additionally trained in VR. 3. The improvement obtained in static tests most probably results from improvement in muscle strength and static stability resulting from the rehabilitation.

scholarly journals Effect of Kinesio Taping on the Walking Ability of Patients with Foot Drop after Stroke

2019 ◽  
Vol 2019 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yilan Sheng ◽  
Shifeng Kan ◽  
Zixing Wen ◽  
Wenhua Chen ◽  
Qi Qi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Stride Length ◽  
Stance Phase ◽  
Swing Phase ◽  
Foot Drop ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Walking Ability ◽  
Timed Up And Go ◽  
Kinesio Taping ◽  
Analysis System ◽  
Experimental Group

Objective. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of kinesio taping on the walking ability in patients with foot drop after stroke. Methods. Sixty patients were randomly divided into the experimental group (with kinesio taping) and the control group (without kinesio taping). The 10-Meter Walking Test (10MWT), Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT), stride length, stance phase, swing phase, and foot rotation of the involved side were measured with the German ZEBRIS gait running platform analysis system and were used to evaluate and compare the immediate effects of kinesio taping. All the measurements were made in duplicate for each patient. Results. The demographic variables of patients in both groups were comparable before the treatment (p>0.05). After kinesio taping treatment, significant improvement was found in the 10MWT and the TUGT for patients in the experimental group (p<0.05). There were significant differences in the 10MWT and TUGT between the experimental and control groups after treatment (p<0.05). In terms of gait, we found significant improvement in stride length (p<0.001), stance phase (p<0.001), swing phase (p<0.001), and foot rotation (p<0.001) of the involved side in experimental group after treatment compared with those before treatment. Further, the functional outcomes and gait ability were significantly improved in the experimental group after treatment (p<0.05), compared to the control group. Conclusion. Kinesio taping can immediately improve the walking function of patients with foot drop after stroke.

scholarly journals Investigation of the effect of the virtual reality application on experimental pain severity in healthy

2019 ◽  
Vol 65 (3) ◽  
pp. 446-451
Author(s):  
Dilek Karaman ◽  
Funda Erol ◽  
Dilek Yılmaz ◽  
Yurdanur Dikmen
Keyword(s):  
Blood Pressure ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Control Groups ◽  
Adult Type ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
The Mean ◽  
And Control ◽  
Experimental Group ◽  
Virtual Reality Application

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate the effect of virtual reality application on experimental ischemic pain created with a blood pressure instrument in healthy volunteers. METHODS: The research sample consisted of 172 volunteer adult students who conformed to the inclusion criteria. These individuals were assigned into an experimental (n=86) and a control group (n=86) by a simple randomization method. All individuals in the experimental and control groups wereexperimentally subjected to pain for two minutes by applying 260 mmHg of pressure 3-4 cm above the antecubital region of the left arm with an aneroid adult-type blood pressure instrument. During the procedure, the volunteers in the experimental group watched virtual reality images, while those in the control group received no intervention. Immediately after the procedure, the pain levels of the individuals in both groups were assessed with a Visual Analog Scale (VAS). RESULTS: We found that the mean pain score of the individuals in the experimental group was 2.62±1.82, and that of individuals in the control group was 5.75±1.65. Results of the statistical analysis showed a statistically significant difference between the mean pain scores of the individuals in the experimental and control groups (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: This study found that the use of virtual reality was effective in reducing the level of pain in healthy individuals. This method used a smartphone with widespread availability and ease of transportation, which can be used by health professionals as a non-pharmacological method in the management of pain.

scholarly journals Design and Practice of Chemistry Teachers' Workshop Supported by Virtual Reality Technology

2020 ◽  
pp. 11-20
Author(s):  
Beibei Xu ◽  
Suyi Xu ◽  
Christsam Joy S. Jaspe ◽  
Ying Xu
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Knowledge Sharing ◽  
Average Score ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Virtual Reality Technology ◽  
Chemistry Teachers ◽  
Kappa Value ◽  
Design And Practice ◽  
Experimental Group

Introducing virtual reality technology into the chemistry teachers' workshops can motivate teachers immersion and participation in workshop, and promote the research effect of the workshops, which is beneficial the professional development of teachers. Based on the characteristic of chemistry subject, this paper focus on the scheme and effect of introduction virtual reality technology into teachers' workshop. A comparative experiment is used to discuss the practical effect of teachers' workshop. By designing a framework strategy, virtual reality technology is introduced in teachers' workshop, the experimental group (51) and the control group (58) was established for comparative study. Adopt the method of quantitative analysis to evaluate the quantitative and qualitative data of knowledge sharing. Particularly, by utilizing the Kappa value estimated the consistency of table that measures the quality of knowledge sharing. The experimental group is superior to the control group in terms of login frequency, average online time and quality of knowledge sharing content. It logged in 2.5 times a day for an average of 1.7 hours, however, the control group with an average of 0.9 hours. The experimental group average 1.38 posts were greater than the control group with average 0.78 posts which issued by each teacher. Then, the average score of "theme" in the experimental group was higher than the experimental group about 1.7344 point, in the quality of knowledge sharing. And, the average score of contribution in the experimental group was higher than the control group too. The experimental results show that the introduction of virtual reality technology in the workshop can effectively improve the enthusiasm and participation of teachers, the teachers' research effect in this designed workshop also was increased significantly.

scholarly journals Effects of virtual reality-based treadmill training on the balance and gait ability in patients after stroke

2021 ◽  
Vol 57 (2) ◽  
pp. 92-102
Author(s):  
Maruša Kržišnik ◽  
Barbara Horvat Rauter ◽  
Nataša Bizovčar
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Treadmill Training ◽  
Step Test ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Walk Test ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Lateral Asymmetry ◽  
Subacute Stroke ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Experimental Group

Gait and balance impairments contribute significantly to long-term disability after stroke. Modern concepts of stroke rehabilitation recommend a task-specific repetitive approach, such as using treadmill training. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of using virtual reality-based treadmill training to improve balance and gait in subacute stroke patients. Twenty-two stroke patients were randomly stratified into two groups: the experimental (n = 11) and the control group (n = 11). Parameters associated with balance and gait were measured using the 6-minute walk test, the 10-meter walk test, the timed “up and go” test, the functional gait assessment, and the four square step test. Gait analysis using the zebris Rehawalk® treadmill system was also performed. Patients in the experimental group received virtual reality-based treadmill training five times a week for a period of four weeks, while those in the control group received treadmill training at the same frequency, duration, intensity, and structure, along with a progressively more difficult task demands. Significant improvements were observed in selected outcome measures in both groups after training. Patients in the experimental group experienced improvements in all of the spatiotemporal gait parameters, but there was a significant difference before and after training in duration of double support and lateral asymmetry. The findings of this pilot randomized controlled trial support the benefits of using a virtual reality-based treadmill training program to improve gait and balance in subacute stroke patients.

scholarly journals Virtual Reality Technology Combined with Comprehensive Pulmonary Rehabilitation on Patients with Stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

2021 ◽  
Vol 2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Xiangmei Xie ◽  
Jie Fan ◽  
Huihong Chen ◽  
Ling Zhu ◽  
Ting Wan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Technical Support ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Chronic Obstructive ◽  
Virtual Reality Technology ◽  
Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ◽  
Breathing Exercises ◽  
Experimental Group

With the popularization of medical knowledge and the development of medical technology, people pay more and more attention to COPD. This paper mainly studies the effect of virtual reality technology combined with comprehensive lung rehabilitation on patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. 60 patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease were selected to collect their general information, such as name, gender, and age. They were divided into the experimental group and control group, 30 patients in each group. The experimental group was treated with virtual reality technology combined with lung rehabilitation, while the control group was treated with conventional rehabilitation. Patients in both groups needed medication and participated in a 30-minute disease description activity once a week. In addition, patients in the control group should walk for 20 minutes every day to monitor muscle fatigue. Breathing exercises are also carried out regularly. Patients are instructed to use their lips and abdomen for 5 minutes each time. The respiratory rate was 7 beats per minute. In addition to the routine training of the control group, the experimental group will also train the simulated bicycle for 20 minutes, which will be automatically saved on the computer after the training. After the experiment, the muscle function and motor ability of the two groups were evaluated, and the results were statistically analyzed. The total self-efficacy scores of patients before and after telemedicine technical support increased significantly (2.15 ± 0.21 before telemedicine technical support, 2.39 ± 0.20 after telemedicine technical support), and the difference was statistically significant ( P < 0.05 ). The results show that the application of virtual reality technology can improve the rehabilitation belief of patients and strengthen the training effect.

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