title: Interactive 3-dimensional virtual reality rehabilitation for patients with chronic imbalance and vestibular dysfunction.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Chronic imbalance is common in patients with vestibular dysfunction. Vestibular rehabilitation is effective in improving upright balance control. Vestibular rehabilitation exercises, such as Cawthorne-Cooksey exercises, include simple repetitive movements and have limited feedback and adaptive training protocols. Interactive systems based on virtual reality (VR) technology may improve vestibular rehabilitation.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of this study was to examine the effectiveness of an interactive 3-dimensional VR system for vestibular rehabilitation.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 49 subjects with vestibular dysfunction, VR rehabilitation exercises were performed in 6 sessions. Before and after rehabilitation, subjects were evaluated for performance of the training exercises; the center of pressure was measured for 20 seconds and balance indices were determined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Five training scores (total 6) showed a significant improvement. For balance indices in condition of non-stimulation, all of them (total 5) showed a trend of improvement, in which there was a significant improvement in mean mediolateral. For balance indices in condition of post-stimulation, there was a significant improvement in statokinesigram and maximum mediolateral.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The VR rehabilitation exercises were effective in improving upright balance control in patients with vestibular dysfunction.
authors.affiliation: Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering, National Central University, Jhongli, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Shih-Ching
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Yeh
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Care, China Medical University, Taichung, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Shuya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.affiliation: Department of Otolaryngology, Cathay General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan School of Medicine, Fu-Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Pa-Chun
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Computer Science and Information Engineering, National Central University, Jhongli, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Mu-Chun
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Su
authors.affiliation: Outcomes Research Unit, Cathay Medical Research Institute, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Chia-Huang
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Po-Yi
authors.initials: PY
authors.lastname: Tsai
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D015837:Vestibular Diseases / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D014724:Vestibular Function Tests
keywords: Balance; rehabilitation; vestibular; virtual reality