title: Does the Inclusion of Virtual Reality Games within Conventional Rehabilitation Enhance Balance Retraining after a Recent Episode of Stroke?
abstract: This randomised controlled and double-blinded pilot study evaluated if interactive virtual reality balance related games integrated within conventional rehabilitation sessions resulted in more superior retraining of dynamic balance compared to CR after stroke. 19 subjects diagnosed with a recent episode of stroke were recruited from a local rehabilitation hospital and randomly assigned to either a control or an experimental group. Subjects in the control groups underwent 60 minutes of conventional rehabilitation while those in the experimental groups underwent 40 minutes of convention rehabilitation and 20 minutes of self-directed virtual reality balanced rehabilitation. Functional Reach Test, Timed Up and Go, Modified Barthel Index, Berg Balance Scale, and Centre of Pressure of subjects in both groups were evaluated before and on completion of the rehabilitation sessions. Results indicate that the inclusion of interactive virtual reality balance related games within conventional rehabilitation can lead to improved functional mobility and balance after a recent episode of stroke without increasing treatment time that requires more health professional manpower.
authors.affiliation: Nanyang Polytechnic, School of Health Sciences (Allied Health) 569830, Singapore.
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Rajaratnam
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gui Kaien
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Lee Jialin
authors.forename: Kwek
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Sweesin
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sim Fenru
authors.forename: Lee
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Enting
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ang Yihsia
authors.forename: Ng
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Keathwee
authors.forename: Su
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yunfeng
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Woo Yinghowe
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Teo Siaoting
references.citation: Cyberpsychol Behav. 2007 Feb;10(1):16-23
references.pmid: 17305444
references.citation: Clin J Sport Med. 2007 Jan;17(1):17-24
references.pmid: 17304001
references.citation: Ann Phys Rehabil Med. 2009 Apr;52(3):269-93
references.pmid: 19398398
references.citation: Brain Inj. 2005 Nov;19(12):989-1000
references.pmid: 16263641
references.citation: Clin Rehabil. 2010 Jun;24(6):543-54
references.pmid: 20511303
references.citation: J Aging Res. 2012;2012:597573
references.pmid: 22745909
references.citation: J Geriatr Phys Ther. 2011 Jul-Sep;34(3):100-8
references.pmid: 22267151
references.citation: Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol. 2012 May;7(3):205-10
references.pmid: 22117107
references.citation: Brain Inj. 2001 May;15(5):443-53
references.pmid: 11350658
references.citation: NeuroRehabilitation. 2006;21(3):245-53
references.pmid: 17167194
references.citation: Stroke. 1990 Jan;21(1):82-6
references.pmid: 2300995
references.citation: Lancet. 2009 Oct 3;374(9696):1196-208
references.pmid: 19801098
references.citation: Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 1995 Nov;76(11):994-6
references.pmid: 7487452
references.citation: BMJ. 1995 Jul 8;311(6997):83-6
references.pmid: 7613406
references.citation: BMC Res Notes. 2010 Sep 13;3:238
references.pmid: 20831836
references.citation: Maturitas. 2012 Nov;73(3):239-43
references.pmid: 22884437
references.citation: Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2005 Aug;86(8):1552-6
references.pmid: 16084807
references.citation: Lancet Neurol. 2009 Apr;8(4):355-69
references.pmid: 19233729
references.citation: Climacteric. 2010 Oct;13(5):487-91
references.pmid: 19905991
references.citation: Top Stroke Rehabil. 2002 Winter;8(4):11-23
references.pmid: 14523727
references.citation: Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2006 Aug;87(8):1141-9
references.pmid: 16876562
references.citation: Gait Posture. 2010 Mar;31(3):307-10
references.pmid: 20005112
references.citation: Phys Ther. 2011 Dec;91(12):1826-37
references.pmid: 22003165
references.citation: Eur J Appl Physiol. 2001 Jul;85(1-2):10-8
references.pmid: 11513301
references.citation: Arch Phys Med Rehabil. 2005 Aug;86(8):1641-7
references.pmid: 16084820
references.citation: Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2011 Sep 07;(9):CD008349
references.pmid: 21901720
references.citation: Disabil Rehabil. 2001 Nov 10;23(16):722-30
references.pmid: 11732561
references.citation: Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2007 Oct 17;(4):CD004963
references.pmid: 17943831
references.citation: Disabil Rehabil Assist Technol. 2013 Sep;8(5):357-62
references.pmid: 23614694
references.citation: Age Ageing. 2005 May;34(3):228-32
references.pmid: 15863408
references.citation: Clin Rehabil. 2004 Nov;18(7):811-8
references.pmid: 15573838