SAGE PublicationsLlorens Rodríguez, R.; Gil Gómez, JA.; Alcañiz Raya, ML.; Colomer Font, C.; Noe, E. (2015). Improvement in balance using a virtual reality-based stepping exercise: a randomized controlled trial involving individuals with chronic stroke. Clinical Rehabilitation. 29(3):261-268. doi:10.1177/0269215514543333. Objective: To study the clinical effectiveness and the usability of a virtual reality based intervention compared to conventional physical therapy in the balance recovery of individuals with chronic stroke. Design: Randomized controlled trial Setting: Outpatient neurorehabilitation unit Participants: Twenty individuals with chronic stroke. Interventions: Participants were randomly assigned to either an experimental group or a control group. The intervention consisted of 20 one-hour sessions, 5 sessions per week. The experimental group combined thirty minutes with the virtual reality-based intervention with thirty minutes of conventional training. The control group underwent one hour conventional therapy. Main measures: Balance performance was assessed at the beginning and at the end of the trial using the Berg Balance Scale, the balance and gait subscales of the Tinetti Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment, the Brunel Balance Assessment, and the 10-Meter Walking Test. Subjective data were collected from a feedback questionnaire at the end of the trial. Results: The results revealed a significant group-by-time interaction in the scores of the Berg Balance Scale (p<0.05) and in the 10-Meter Walking Test (p<0.05). Post-hoc analyses showed greater improvement in the experimental group, also in the Brunel Balance Assessment (χ2=2.5, p<0.01). The feedback score was 55. 7±3.4 (range: 15-65). Conclusions: The training of the stepping strategy through VR interventions that satisfy the motor learning principles can enhance the balance recovery in individuals with chronic stroke. Subjective data also revealed positive results regarding presence, comfort, and enjoyment.
Design: Randomized controlled trial
Setting: Outpatient neurorehabilitation unitParticipants: Twenty individuals with chronic stroke.
Interventions:The intervention consisted of twenty one-hour sessions, five sessions per week. The experimental group combined thirty minutes with the virtual realitybased intervention with thirty minutes of conventional training. The control group underwent one hour conventional therapy.
Main measures:Balance performance was assessed at the beginning and at the end of the trial using the Berg Balance Scale, the balance and gait subscales of the Tinetti Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment, the Brunel Balance Assessment, and the 10-Meter Walking Test. Subjective data of the virtual reality based-intervention were collected from a feedback questionnaire at the end of the trial.
Results:The results revealed a significant group-by-time interaction in the scores of the Berg Balance Scale (p<0.05) and in the 10-Meter Walking Test (p<0.05). Post-hoc analyses showed greater improvement in the experimental g...