Effect of virtual reality games on stroke patients’ balance, gait, depression, and interpersonal relationships

Abstract

[Purpose] The purpose of the study was to determine the effects of training using virtual reality games on balance and gait ability, as well as the psychological characteristics of stroke patients, such as depression and interpersonal relationships, by comparing them with the effects of ergometer training. [Subjects] Forty stroke patients were randomly divided into a virtual reality group (VRG, N = 20) and an ergometer training group (ETG, N = 20). [Methods] VRG performed training using the Xbox Kinect. ETG performed training using an ergometer bicycle. Both groups received training 30 min per day, five times per week, for eight weeks. [Results] Both the VRG and ETG subjects exhibited a significant difference in weight distribution ratio on the paralyzed side and balance ability. Both the VRG and ETG patients showed significant improvement in psychological measures BDI and RCS, after the intervention, and the VRG sowed a more significant increase in BDI than the ETG. [Conclusion] According to the result of this study, virtual reality training and ergometer training were both effective at improving balance, gait abilities, depression, and interpersonal relationships among stroke patients.

The use of virtual reality for balance among individuals with chronic stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…Thirteen studies [18][19][20][22][23][24]27,[30][31][32][33][34]36 were included in the meta-analysis examining the effect of all VR interventions on TUG scores. A fixed effects model demonstrated little heterogeneity between studies (Q = 10.047, I 2 = 0.000, df = 12).…”

“…Six studies examined both dynamic and static balance [17][18][19][20]23,34 , 12 studies examined dynamic balance only 4,21,22,24,[26][27][28][29][30][31][32][33]35 , and 2 studies examined static balance alone. 24,35 For the purposes of our meta-analysis, we analyzed only the two most common measures of dynamic balance: BBS and TUG.…”

“…25 A significant betweengroup difference was reported only by the treadmill training with VR study, 25 which favored the treadmill group on mediolateral center of pressure scores. Limits of stability were measured in one Nintendo ® Wii Fit study 18 , where a significant between-group difference was reported which favored the Wii group on both forward and backward limits of stability. Postural sway path lengths and velocities were measured in one Nintendo ® Wii Fit study, 34 and two VR treadmill training studies.…”

“…17,19 A significant between-group difference was reported by one study 17 which favored the Wii group. The 10MWT was used in two Nintendo ® Wii Fit studies 18,22 and one VR postural training study; 28 significant between-groups differences were found in one of the Nintendo ® Wii Fit studies 18 and in the VR postural training study 28 favoring the VR groups. The ART was used in one Nintendo ® Wii Fit study 22 and had significant improvements which favored the Wii group.…”

“…Among the studies assessing static balance, [17][18][19][20]23,25,29,34,35 six outcome measures were evaluated: center of pressure Notes: VR = virtual reality; Min = minutes; D = day; Wk = weeks; OT = occupational therapy; and PT = physical therapy. *Statistically significant difference between groups at p < 0.05 from pre-post; **Statistically significant difference between groups at p < 0.01 from pre-post; α Statistically significant difference between groups at p < 0.05 from pre-follow-up; and -No significant difference at p > 0.05 between groups.…”