title: Effect of a virtual reality exercise program accompanied by cognitive tasks on the balance and gait of stroke patients.
abstract: [Purpose] This study aimed to assess the effect of a virtual reality exercise program accompanied by cognitive tasks on the balance and gait of stroke patients. [Subjects] Twenty stroke patients were randomly assigned to two groups 10 to an experimental group that performed a virtual reality exercise program accompanied by cognitive tasks and 10 to a control group. The control group performed a proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation exercise program. Balance was measured with the Berg Balance Scale. Gait was assessed using the Timed Up and Go Test. The paired t-test was used to compare groups before and after the experiment. The independent t-test was conducted to assess differences in the degree of change between the two groups before and after the experiment. [Results] Within-group comparison in the experimental group showed significant differences in the Berg Balance Scale and Timed Up and Go Test. In a comparison between groups, the differences in the Berg Balance Scale and Timed Up and Go Test in the experimental group appeared significant compared with the control group. [Conclusion] The results of the experiment indicate that a virtual reality exercise program accompanied by cognitive tasks has a positive effect on the balance and gait of stroke patients.
authors: Department of Physical Therapy, Graduate School, Nambu University, Republic of Korea.
authors: In-Wook
authors: IW
authors: Lee
authors: Department of Physical Therapy, Nambu University, Republic of Korea.
authors: Yong-Nam
authors: YN
authors: Kim
authors: Department of Rehabilitation Science, Graduate School, Daegu University, Republic of Korea.
authors: Dong-Kyu
authors: DK
authors: Lee
keywords: Balance; Gait; Virtual reality exercise program accompanied by cognitive tasks