Abstract
Virtual reality (VR)-based rehabilitation has been used in lower limb amputees; however, the extent to which VR is effective in reacquiring symmetrical gait in lower limb amputees is unclear. The purpose of this study was to confirm whether a VR intervention is effective in obtaining a simulated prosthetic gait. The participants were 24 healthy males who had never worn a simulated prosthesis. They were divided into three groups: VR, tablet, and control groups. The intervention consisted of 5 min of in situ stepping on parallel bars and watching a video of a simulated prosthetic leg walker on a head-mounted display or a tablet. Measurements included Gait Up parameters during a 10-m walk and immersion scores. After the intervention, there was a significant interaction between walking speed and leg swing speed in the VR group. The rate of improvement in walking speed and immersion scores was significantly higher in the VR group than in the other two groups, and there was a significant positive correlation between the rate of improvement and immersion scores. Compared to the tablet and control groups, the VR group showed the highest rate of immersion and improvement in walking speed.
Highlights
The majority of lower limb amputations are vascular disorder-related amputations (DRA) due to complications of the vascular system and diabetes [1,2]
The purpose of this study was to investigate whether in situ foot-stepping in parallel bars, which is a conventional introduction to prosthetic gait rehabilitation, combined with watching a simulated prosthetic-legged proficient person can contribute to shortening the time needed to regain walking after lower limb amputation
The finding was that of a Virtual reality (VR)-based and and conventional rehabilitation waswas efmain finding wasthe thatcombination the combination of a VR-based conventional rehabilitation fective more than only a prosthetic leg gait rehabilitation
Summary
The majority of lower limb amputations are vascular disorder-related amputations (DRA) due to complications of the vascular system and diabetes [1,2]. As the number of patients with diabetes worldwide is estimated to be 170 million and is expected to increase to 366 million by 2030, the number of lower limb amputees (LLAs) is expected to double by 2050 [3]. Lower limb amputation has a significant socioeconomic impact by reducing functional capacity, autonomy, and quality of life [4]. Lower limb prosthesis (LLP) provides support for physical function that prevents increased left-right asymmetry, which does improve activities of daily living (ADL) and positively impact prognosis [5]. The gait training approach, the duration of training, and the types of weight-bearing and walking exercises suitable for rehabilitation in lower limb amputation is still unclear [12]. There is a lack of evidence on the most effective training method to obtain a more symmetrical gait after lower limb amputation
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