131 Impact of Virtual Reality Training in Patients After HIP Arthroplasty on Pressure Distribution in Standing and Walking

Abstract

Abstract Introduction Patients after hip arthroplasty (THR) load the feet asymmetrically during standing or walking. Many reports indicate effectiveness of the Virtual Reality (VR) training in reeducation of postural stability, gait parameters and symmetry. The aim of this study was to assess if VR training programme based on non-walking exercises improve gait parameters or change foot pressure distribution. Materials and methods 56 patients after THR were randomly assigned to an experimental group (30 people) and a control group (26 people). The control group (CG) attended a standard post-operative rehabilitation programme, while 12 sessions of VR training were added to the standard programme in the experimental group (EG). Each patient performed standing with eyes opened and gait test on Zebris FDM-T treadmill. We calculated spatio-temporal parameters, foot pressure distribution and CoP displacement. The results were considered significant for p <0.05. Results In the static tests, the force on the forefoot and the rearfoot of the operated limb increased in EG (p<0.05). The force on the non-operated-side foot decreased and the force of the foot on the operated side increased in CG (p <0.05). No differences were found in the CoP movement in both groups. Most of the gait parameters improved significantly in both groups (p<0.05). However, EG obtained superior results in comparison to CG (p <0.05) after rehabilitation with regard to step time in the operated limb, stride time, cadence and maximum force in the midfoot area in the operated limb. Conclusions 1. The significantly better gait performance parameters obtained in the experimental group indicate a better movement capacity in these patients. This suggests that using VR in motor re-education in patients after THR may enhance the effects of rehabilitation. 2. Further studies are necessary to assess the influence of VR training on pressure distribution both in static and dynamic tests.