Your browser doesn't support javascript.
loading
Use of virtual reality to enhance balance and ambulation in chronic stroke: a double-blind, randomized controlled study.
Kim, Joong Hwi; Jang, Sung Ho; Kim, Chung Sun; Jung, Ji Hee; You, Joshua H.
Affiliation
  • Kim JH; Department of Physical Therapy, Graduate School of Rehabilitation Science, Yonsei University, MaeJi-Ri, Wonju City, Kangwon-do, Republic of Korea.
Am J Phys Med Rehabil ; 88(9): 693-701, 2009 Sep.
Article in En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19692788
OBJECTIVE: To examine an additive effect of virtual reality on balance and gait function in patients with chronic hemiparetic stroke. DESIGN: Twenty-four adults with hemiparetic stroke were randomly assigned to either an experimental group (n = 12) or a control group. Both groups underwent conventional physical therapy, 40 mins a day, 4 days a week for 4 wks. The experimental group received an additional 30 mins of virtual reality therapy each session. Balance performance was determined by the Balance Performance Monitor and Berg Balance Scale tests. Gait performance was determined by the 10-m walking test and Modified Motor Assessment Scale, and spatiotemporal parameters were obtained using GAITRite. Analysis of variance and correlation statistics were performed at P < 0.05. RESULTS: In the balance test, the experimental group had improved Berg Balance Scale scores, balance and dynamic balance angles (ability to control weight shifting) compared with the controls (P < 0.05). In the gait performance test, the experimental group showed significant improvements in velocity, Modified Motor Assessment Scale scores, cadence, step time, step length, and stride length (P < 0.05). Improvement in dynamic balance angles was correlated with velocity and cadence (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates that virtual reality has an augmented effect on balance and associated locomotor recovery in adults with hemiparetic stroke when added to conventional therapy.
Subject(s)

Full text: 1 Collection: 01-internacional Database: MEDLINE Main subject: User-Computer Interface / Physical Therapy Modalities / Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Postural Balance / Stroke Rehabilitation Type of study: Clinical_trials / Etiology_studies Limits: Adult / Female / Humans / Male / Middle aged Language: En Journal: Am J Phys Med Rehabil Journal subject: MEDICINA FISICA / REABILITACAO Year: 2009 Document type: Article Country of publication: United States

Full text: 1 Collection: 01-internacional Database: MEDLINE Main subject: User-Computer Interface / Physical Therapy Modalities / Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Postural Balance / Stroke Rehabilitation Type of study: Clinical_trials / Etiology_studies Limits: Adult / Female / Humans / Male / Middle aged Language: En Journal: Am J Phys Med Rehabil Journal subject: MEDICINA FISICA / REABILITACAO Year: 2009 Document type: Article Country of publication: United States