International Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
Open Access

Abstract

Feasibility and Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Training on Balance and Gait Recovery Early after Stroke: A Pilot Study

Ilona JM de Rooij, Ingrid GL van de Port and Jan-Willem G Meijer

Objective: To investigate the feasibility and effectiveness of virtual reality training for improving balance and/or gait during inpatient rehabilitation of patients within 12 weeks after stroke.

Methods: Sixteen patients within 12 weeks after stroke and dependent gait as categorised with a Functional Ambulation Category score of 2 or 3 were included in this longitudinal pilot study. Participants received eight 30-min sessions of virtual reality training during four weeks as part of the regular inpatient rehabilitation program. Feasibility was assessed using compliance with the training, adverse events, experiences of the participants and the physiotherapists; and effectiveness with the Berg Balance Scale, centre of pressure velocity, Functional Ambulation Category and 10-meter walking test.

Results: Participants positively evaluated the intervention and enjoyed the training sessions. Also, physiotherapists observed the training as feasible and beneficial for improving balance or gait. Compliance with the training was 88% and no serious adverse events occurred. The Berg Balance Scale, anterior-posterior centre of pressure velocity, Functional Ambulation Category and 10-meter walking test showed significant improvement after four weeks of training (p<0.05).

Conclusion: This study demonstrates that virtual reality training in patients early after stroke is feasible and may be effective in improving balance and/or gait ability.