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Table 4.7 Virtual Reality Interventions for Lower Extremity Post-ABI

by | Dec 5, 2018

Table 4.7 Virtual Reality Interventions for Lower Extremity Post-ABI

Author Year Country Study Design Sample Size Methods Outcome
  Cuthbert et al. (2014) USA RCT PEDro=6 N=20 Population: TBI; Gender: Male=13, Female=7; Range of Time Post Injury=24-122d. Intervention: Participants were randomly assigned to either Extra Standard Balance Care (ESC; n=10) (standard physical therapy) or Virtual Reality (VR) balance therapy (n=10) using the Nintendo Wii. Both groups received standard physical therapy 4x/wk. The ESC group had an additional 15min of balance-specific therapy and the VR therapy group had 15min of balance training using the Wii Fit. Outcome Measure: Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Functional Gait Assessment (FGA). 1.        There was no statistically significant difference between therapy groups on PACES scores at mid-treatment (p=0.59) or at treatment completion (p=0.34). 2.        The VR therapy group had a significant improvement on the BBS over time (0.19 points per day, p=0.03); however, there were no significant between group differences (VR therapy had a 1.13-point higher improvement than the ESC group, p=0.70). 3.        Within group improvements were found on the FGA (ESC=0.20, p=0.01 and VR therapy=0.23, p<0.01); however, there were no statistically significant between group differences found (p=0.73).
    Foo et al. (2013) Australia Post-Test N=20 Population: TBI=11, Tumour=3, Stroke=2, Cerebral Palsy=2, SCI=1, Anoxic Brain Injury=1; Mean Age=43.3yr; Mean Time Post Injury=23.3mo. Intervention: Participants completed two tasks (static standing and sit-to-stand) three times each, with and without visual feedback. Feedback was provided using the Wii Balance Board.Outcome measure: Weight-bearing Asymmetry. 1.        During the static balance task, weight-bearing asymmetry was significantly reduced with visual feedback (p=0.005). 1.        There was no significant difference with visual feedback for the dynamic test (p=0.737); however, those with higher weight-bearing asymmetry were the most responsive to feedback.