Could virtual reality exercise improve balance and movement after stroke?

This study looked at whether virtual reality exercise helps improve balance, movement and walking in stroke rehabilitation patients. 

A stroke occurs when there is a disturbance of blood supply to a part of the brain. This can be caused by a blood clot in the brain (ischemic stroke) or a burst blood vessel (hemorrhagic stroke). Both types of stroke result in a lack of oxygen and food reaching the brain tissue and can cause brain damage. Symptoms include numbness or paralysis in face, arm of leg, difficulty speaking or understanding, vision loss and dizziness. A major stroke can leave lasting symptoms such as trouble walking and balance. 

This study included 59 stroke survivors enrolled in a rehabilitation program. A total of 30 participants received standard stroke rehabilitation therapy plus virtual reality exercise that challenged balance (e.g. soccer goaltending, snowboarding) performed while standing. The control group (29 patients) received standard stroke rehabilitation therapy plus exposure to identical virtual reality environments whose games did not challenge balance (performed in sitting). Virtual reality training consisted of 10-12 thirty-minute daily sessions over a 3-week period. Balance and mobility were assessed before, immediately after, and 1 month after training.

Individuals were measured on a ‘Timed Up and Go’ test which measures the time taken for a person to rise from a chair, walk three meters, turn around, walk back to the chair and sit down, and a “Two-Minute Walk Test’ that measures how far a participant can walk in 2 minutes. The study found that patients participating in the standing virtual reality exercises showed greater improvements in mobility function compared to the control group in these two tests, however the difference wasn’t significant and this was thought to be due to the small number of participants in the study. Also, more individuals in the treatment group than in the control group showed reduced impairment in the legs immediately after training as measured by the Chedoke McMaster Leg test that also measures physical function.

Standing virtual reality exercises for stroke survivors with physical disability helps improve movement and balance. 

There were no stroke survivors with severe mobility impairments that took part in the study and all patients were participating in an intensive rehabilitation program, therefore, the results cannot be generalized to all stroke survivors and it is not certain if doing virtual reality exercises alone is sufficient to provide physical improvement. Also additional physiotherapy or other exercise programs that participants may be involved in outside of the study were not taken into account and could obscure results. 

If you or someone you know have had a stroke, talk to a doctor about participating in rehabilitation programs, and the possibility of using virtual reality exercises.