Virtual reality therapy improves balance in patients with stroke

This study compared virtual reality (VR) and standard treatment to treat patients with impaired balance after a stroke. Researchers suggested that VR combined with standard therapy improves balance in these patients.

Stroke is one of the leading causes of death in the US. A stroke occurs when blood flow to an area of the brain is cut off. When this happens, brain cells die, and the abilities controlled by these cells such as balance are lost.

Stroke survivors often experience complications such as reduced balance and mobility. VR (computer made a 3-dimensional image) creates real-world conditions that patients can interact with using a special electronic equipment. VR has been shown to help improving balance and walking ability after stroke. It is still not clear how VR can improve balance ability in patients with stroke.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of VR in the treatment of patients who have had a stroke.

This study reviewed 13 other studies and included 348 patients. 166 of these received VR therapy and 182 received standard treatment. VR was combined with standard therapy in most studies.

The VR group significantly improved balance when compared to the standard group. Mobility was also improved in the VR group compared to the standard therapy group.

This study concluded that VR might be a useful tool in the treatment of patients with impaired balance after stroke.

The VR interventions used in the studies were different. Further studies are needed.