Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Science, Sahmyook University, Seoul, South Korea.
Med Sci Monit. 2016 Oct 28;22:4046-4053. doi: 10.12659/msm.898157.
BACKGROUND Virtual reality reflection therapy (VRRT) is a technically enhanced version of the mirror therapy concept. The aim of this study was to investigate whether VRRT could improve the postural balance and gait ability of patients with chronic stroke. MATERIAL AND METHODS Twenty-five patients with chronic stroke were randomly allocated into the VRRT group (n=13) and the control group (n=12). The participants in both groups performed a conventional rehabilitation program for 30 minutes. The VRRT group also performed a VRRT program for 30 minutes, five times a week for 4 weeks. The control group performed conventional rehabilitation program and a placebo VRRT program. Outcome measures included Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Functional Reaching Test (FRT), and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test (for dynamic balance ability), postural sway (for static balance ability), and 10 meter walking velocity (10 mWV) for gait ability. RESULTS There were statistically significant improvements in the VRRT group compared with the control group for BBS, FRT, TUG, postural sway (mediolateral sway distance with eyes open and eyes closed, anteroposterior and total sway distance with eyes open but not with eyes closed), and 10 mWV (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Applying VRRT (even as a home treatment) along with a conventional rehabilitation program for patients with chronic stroke might be even more beneficial than conventional rehabilitation program alone in improving affected lower limb function. Future studies should investigate the effectiveness of VRRT with optimal patient selection, and duration and intensity of training.
虚拟现实反射疗法(VRRT)是镜像疗法概念的技术增强版。本研究旨在探讨 VRRT 是否可以改善慢性脑卒中患者的姿势平衡和步态能力。
25 名慢性脑卒中患者被随机分配到 VRRT 组(n=13)和对照组(n=12)。两组患者均进行 30 分钟的常规康复计划。VRRT 组还进行了 30 分钟的 VRRT 计划,每周 5 次,持续 4 周。对照组进行常规康复计划和假 VRRT 计划。结果测量包括 Berg 平衡量表(BBS)、功能伸手测试(FRT)和计时起身和行走测试(TUG)(用于动态平衡能力)、姿势摆动(用于静态平衡能力)和 10 米步行速度(10 mWV)(用于步态能力)。
与对照组相比,VRRT 组的 BBS、FRT、TUG、姿势摆动(睁眼和闭眼时的前后摆动距离、前后和总摆动距离,但闭眼时无摆动距离)和 10 mWV 均有统计学显著改善(p<0.05)。
将 VRRT(即使作为家庭治疗)与慢性脑卒中患者的常规康复计划一起应用,可能比单独使用常规康复计划更有益于改善患侧下肢功能。未来的研究应在最佳患者选择、训练持续时间和强度方面调查 VRRT 的有效性。