Virtual Walking Training Program Using a Real-world Video Recording for Patients with Chronic Stroke

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of the virtual walking training program using a real-world video recording on walking balance and spatiotemporal gait parameters in patients with chronic stroke. Fourteen patients with chronic stroke were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (n = 7) or the control group (n = 7). The subjects in both groups underwent a standard rehabilitation program; in addition, the experimental group participated in the virtual walking training program using a real-world video recording for 30 mins a day, three times a week, for 6 wks, and the control group participated in treadmill gait training for 30 mins a day, three times a week, for 6 wks. Walking balance was measured using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and the Timed Up and Go test. Gait performance was measured using an electrical walkway system. In walking balance, greater improvement on the Berg Balance Scale (experimental group: 4.14 vs. control group: 1.85) and the Timed Up and Go test (-2.25 vs. -0.94) was observed in the experimental group compared with the control group (P <; 0.05). In the spatiotemporal gait parameters, greater improvement on velocity (25.40 vs. 9.74) and cadence (26.71 vs. 11.11) was observed in the experimental group compared with the control group (P <; 0.05). This study demonstrated the positive effects of the virtual walking training program using a real-world video recording on gait performance. These findings suggest that the virtual walking training program using a real-world video recording may be a valid approach to enhance gait performance in patients with chronic stroke.