Article

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.

Langue : ANGLAIS