Effects of Virtual Reality-Assisted and Overground Gait Adaptation Training on Balance and Walking Ability in Stroke Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Abstract

This study compared the effects of virtual reality-assisted gait adaptation training with the overground gait adaptation training on balance and walking in patients with stroke. Fifty-four eligible patients were enrolled. All patients were randomly divided into a virtual reality and control group, with 27 patients in each group. The virtual reality group received virtual reality-assisted training on the treadmill, whereas the control group received overground training in a physical therapy room. After the intervention, patients were assessed using walking speed, obstacle avoidance ability, Timed Up and Go test, postural stability, and the Barthel Index. Significant improvements in walking speed, obstacle avoidance ability, Timed Up and Go test, and eye-opening center of pressure speed were observed after the intervention ( P < 0.05). No statistically significant differences were found in eye-closing center of pressure speed, tandem center of pressure speed, single-leg center of pressure speed, and Barthel Index ( P > 0.05). Stroke patients may benefit from virtual reality-assisted gait adaptation training in improving walking and static balance function and reducing the risk of falls.