Abstract
BackgroundEvidence indicates that the continuation of therapy among community-dwelling stroke survivors improves physical function. Community rehabilitation programmes often face limitations in terms of resources. It is imperative to include new motivational interventions to encourage some level of non-clinician management. The aim of this study was to determine whether there were any changes in physical function and activities of daily living when substituting a portion of the standard physiotherapy time with virtual reality games among community-dwelling stroke survivors.MethodsIn this controlled trial, the experimental group received 30 minutes of virtual reality balance games in addition to 90 minutes of standard physiotherapy. The control group continued with their two hours of routine standard physiotherapy. Both groups received 12 therapy sessions: two-hour sessions twice per week for six continuous weeks. Changes in physical function, activities of daily living and balance ability were assessed using the Timed Up and Go test, 30-second Sit to Stand test, Timed Ten-Metre Walk test, Six-Minute Walk test and the Barthel Index, and static balance was assessed using a probalance board.ResultsTwenty-eight participants completed post-intervention assessments. The results showed a significant within-subject effect on the Timed Up and Go test: F (1, 26) = 5.83, p = 0.02; and the 30-second Sit to Stand test; F (1, 26) = 13.50, p = 0.001. The between-subject effect was not significant (p > 0.05) for any of the outcome measurements.ConclusionSubstituting a portion of the standard physiotherapy time with virtual reality games was equally effective in maintaining physical function outcomes and activities of daily living among community-dwelling stroke survivors.Trial RegistrationAustralia and New Zealand Clinical Trials Register, ACTRN12613000478718
Highlights
Evidence indicates that the continuation of therapy among community-dwelling stroke survivors improves physical function
The aim of this study was to determine whether there were any changes in physical function and activities of daily living when substituting a portion of the standard physiotherapy time with virtual reality games in communitydwelling stroke survivors
analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) and the chi-square test demonstrated no significant effect of age, Mini Mental Status Examination (MMSE), GDS score or post-stroke duration
Summary
Evidence indicates that the continuation of therapy among community-dwelling stroke survivors improves physical function. The aim of this study was to determine whether there were any changes in physical function and activities of daily living when substituting a portion of the standard physiotherapy time with virtual reality games among community-dwelling stroke survivors. The incidence of stroke has been reported to increase by more than two fold in underdeveloped and developing countries [1]. It is estimated that five million stroke survivors worldwide live with complex disabilities [4]. Stroke survivors with residual physical disabilities often succumb to multiple secondary complications, such as decreased muscle strength and balance, which result in an increased risk of falls and greater functional dependency [4,5]. Balance is impaired in the majority of these patients, with 30% unable to walk independently six months post-stroke [7]
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