JOURNAL ARTICLE
RESEARCH SUPPORT, NON-U.S. GOV'T
Add like
Add dislike
Add to saved papers

Virtual reality-enhanced partial body weight-supported treadmill training poststroke: feasibility and effectiveness in 6 subjects.

UNLABELLED: Walker ML, Ringleb SI, Maihafer GC, Walker R, Crouch JR, Van Lunen B, Morrison S. Virtual reality-enhanced partial body weight-supported treadmill training poststroke: feasibility and effectiveness in 6 subjects.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether the use of a low-cost virtual reality (VR) system used in conjunction with partial body weight-supported treadmill training (BWSTT) was feasible and effective in improving the walking and balance abilities of patients poststroke.

DESIGN: A before-after comparison of a single group with BWSTT intervention.

SETTING: University research laboratory.

PARTICIPANTS: A convenience sample of 7 adults who were within 1 year poststroke and who had completed traditional rehabilitation but still exhibited gait deficits. Six participants completed the study.

INTERVENTION: Twelve treatment sessions of BWSTT with VR. The VR system generated a virtual environment that showed on a television screen in front of the treadmill to give participants the sensation of walking down a city street. A head-mounted position sensor provided postural feedback.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Functional Gait Assessment (FGA) score, Berg Balance Scale (BBS) score, and overground walking speed.

RESULTS: One subject dropped out of the study. All other participants made significant improvements in their ability to walk. FGA scores increased from mean of 13.8 to 18. BBS scores increased from mean of 43.8 to 48.8, although a ceiling effect was seen for this test. Overground walking speed increased from mean of .49m/s to .68m/s.

CONCLUSIONS: A low-cost VR system combined with BWSTT is feasible for improved gait and balance of patients poststroke.

Full text links

We have located links that may give you full text access.
Can't access the paper?
Try logging in through your university/institutional subscription. For a smoother one-click institutional access experience, please use our mobile app.

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

Mobile app image

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app

All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.

By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.

Your Privacy Choices Toggle icon

You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now

Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university

For the best experience, use the Read mobile app