Effectiveness of virtual reality on balance ability in individuals with incomplete spinal cord injury: A systematic review.

BACKGROUND

Balance dysfunctions are one of the most prevalent impairments post incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI). The evidence has proposed that the rehabilitation can be efficacious in treating balance dysfunctions in patients with SCI. Virtual reality (VR) is a computer technology designate 3-D setting which provides immersed users to generate numerous feedbacks such as visual, audio, and haptic.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effects of VR on balance ability in individuals with incomplete SCI and to identify efficient training protocol.

METHODS

We searched in SCOPUS, PEDro, PUBMED, REHABDATA, EMBASE, and web of science for experimental trials studying impacts of VR training on balance in patients with incomplete SCI that published in English. Physiotherapy Evidence Database (PEDro) scale was used to evaluate the methodological quality for selected studies.

RESULTS

Five pilot studies were met the inclusion criteria. The PEDro scores ranged from 2 to 3, with a median of 2. All selected studies enrolled less than 20 patients. The findings showed beneficial effects of VR in improving balance ability in patients with incomplete SCI.

CONCLUSIONS

The preliminary findings showed that the influence of VR training on the balance ability in patients with incomplete SCI is promising. Applying 12 to 20 sessions of 30 to 60 min of VR training may show meaningful effects. Further randomized controlled trials strongly needed.