A Novel Virtual Reality Training Strategy for Poststroke Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Naveed Anwar,Ghulam Saqulain,Nazia Mumtaz,Syed Amir Gilani,Hossein Karimi,Ashfaq Ahmad,Redha Taiar

doi:10.1155/2021/6598726

Abstract

Stroke patients suffer impairments including sensory, motor, visual, and cognitive areas, as well as gait and balance manifestations making activities of daily living difficult. In such conditions, virtual reality training can be a potential rehabilitation tool in comparison to conventional physical therapy to cater to the burden of this disability; hence, this randomized clinical trial compared the effects of virtual reality training and conventional physical therapy on balance and lower extremity function in stroke patients. The sample of 68 poststroke participants from Kanaan Physical Therapy and Spine Clinic, Lahore, Pakistan, were divided into N = 34 cases each using the lottery method with one group given virtual reality training and the other received conventional physical therapy. Each group received 60 minutes intervention, 3 days per week for 6 weeks. The Berg balance scale and the Fugl-Meyer assessment-lower extremity scale were employed for data collection preintervention, immediate postintervention, and 6 weeks postintervention. The statistically significant differences between virtual reality and conventional physical therapy groups for the Berg Balance score (p < 0.001), Fugl-Meyer assessment (FMA)-lower extremity domains of FMA-motor function (p < 0.001), FMA-joint pain, and joint range (p < 0.001); however, there is no significant difference (p=0.202) for time vs. group interaction and significant (p < 0.001) for the time main effect for FMA sensation. Hence, virtual reality training is more effective to restore balance and lower extremity function compared to conventional physical therapy in stroke patients. The results of the study have significant implications for the clinicians with better case management enhancing quality of life of patients along with the dearth of local literature, thus providing base for future research from a developing country's perspective.

Highlights

Stroke or cerebrovascular accidents (CVA) are considered as the leading cause of disability globally with more youth being affected in developing countries [1]; there is equal gender prevalence marring quality of life (Qol) at every level
Us keeping in view the unique position of stroke in Pakistan with epidemiological and the clinical dissimilarities with the Western literature, especially due to the involvement of the younger population and the cost-effectiveness of virtual reality (VR), there is a need to establish the fact that neurorehabilitation using virtual therapy to improve the balance and gait of poststroke cases is a better option compared to conventional therapies, and in this connection, there is need of randomized clinical trials (RCT) for evaluation of impact of VR on balance [24]
Virtual reality training is a modern technique of treatment receiving great attention because of being economical, and it provides motivation to the patient due to realistic visual objects and multiple sensory stimuli and the freedom of use, becoming more important for Variable Age Weight Height Bone mass index Gender

Summary

Research Article

A Novel Virtual Reality Training Strategy for Poststroke Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial. Stroke patients suffer impairments including sensory, motor, visual, and cognitive areas, as well as gait and balance manifestations making activities of daily living difficult. In such conditions, virtual reality training can be a potential rehabilitation tool in comparison to conventional physical therapy to cater to the burden of this disability; this randomized clinical trial compared the effects of virtual reality training and conventional physical therapy on balance and lower extremity function in stroke patients. E sample of 68 poststroke participants from Kanaan Physical erapy and Spine Clinic, Lahore, Pakistan, were divided into N 34 cases each using the lottery method with one group given virtual reality training and the other received conventional physical therapy. Virtual reality training is more effective to restore balance and lower extremity function compared to conventional physical therapy in stroke patients. e results of the study have significant implications for the clinicians with better case management enhancing quality of life of patients along with the dearth of local literature, providing base for future research from a developing country’s perspective

Introduction

Results and Discussion

ANOVA statistics