The Effects of VR-assisted and Overground Gait Adaptation Training on Balance and Walking Ability in Stroke Patients

Abstract Objective This study compared the effects of virtual reality(VR)-assisted gait adaptation training with the overground gait adaptation training on balance and walking in patients with stroke. Methods Fifty-four eligible patients were enrolled. All patients were randomly divided into a VR and control group, with 27 patients in each group. The VR group received VR-assisted training on the treadmill, whereas the control group received overground training in a physical therapy room. After the intervention, patients were assessed using walking speed, obstacle avoidance ability, timed up and go (TUG) test, postural stability, and the Barthel Index (BI). Results Significant improvements in walking speed, obstacle avoidance ability, TUG test and eye-opening center of pressure (COP) speed were observed after the intervention ( P < 0.05). No statistically significant differences were found in eye-closing COP speed, tandem COP speed, single-leg COP speed, and BI ( P > 0.05). Conclusions Stroke patients may benefit from VR-assisted gait adaptation training in improving walking and static balance function and reducing the risk of falls.