@article{ref1,
title="Improvement in balance using a virtual reality-based stepping exercise: a randomized controlled trial involving individuals with chronic stroke",
journal="Clinical rehabilitation",
year="2014",
author="Lloréns, Roberto and Gil-Gómez, José-Antonio and Alcañiz, Mariano and Colomer, Carolina and Noé, Enrique",
volume="29",
number="3",
pages="261-268",
abstract="OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical effectiveness and the usability of a virtual reality-based intervention compared with conventional physical therapy in the balance recovery of individuals with chronic stroke. <br><br>DESIGN: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Outpatient neurorehabilitation unit. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 20 individuals with chronic stroke. INTERVENTIONS: The intervention consisted of 20 one-hour sessions, five sessions per week. The experimental group combined 30 minutes with the virtual reality-based intervention with 30 minutes of conventional training. The control group underwent one hour conventional therapy. MAIN MEASURES: Balance performance was assessed at the beginning and at the end of the trial using the Berg Balance Scale, the balance and gait subscales of the Tinetti Performance-Oriented Mobility Assessment, the Brunel Balance Assessment, and the 10-m Walking Test. Subjective data of the virtual reality-based intervention were collected from the experimental group, with a feedback questionnaire at the end of the trial. <br><br>RESULTS: The results revealed a significant group-by-time interaction in the scores of the Berg Balance Scale (p < 0.05) and in the 10-m Walking Test (p < 0.05). Post-hoc analyses showed greater improvement in the experimental group: 3.8 ±2.6 vs. 1.8 ±1.4 in the Berg Balance Scale, -1.9 ±1.6 seconds vs. 0.0 ±2.3 seconds in the 10-m Walking Test, and also in the number of participants who increased level in the Brunel Balance Assessment (χ(2) = 2.5, p < 0.01). <br><br>CONCLUSIONS: Virtual reality interventions can be an effective resource to enhance the improvement of balance in individuals with chronic stroke.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0269-2155",
doi="10.1177/0269215514543333",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/0269215514543333"
}