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Effect of a virtual reality exercise program accompanied by cognitive tasks on the balance and gait of stroke patients

2015; Penerbit Universiti Sains Malaysia; Volume: 27; Issue: 7 Linguagem: Inglês

10.1589/jpts.27.2175

2187-5626

In-Wook Lee, Yong-Nam Kim, Dong-Kyu Lee,

Balance, Gait, and Falls Prevention

[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.