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. 2017 Summer;23(3):263-270.
doi: 10.1310/sci16-00003. Epub 2017 May 4.

Study on the Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Game-Based Training on Balance and Functional Performance in Individuals with Paraplegia

Meetika Khurana  1 , Shefali Walia  1 , Majumi M Noohu  2
Affiliations

Study on the Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Game-Based Training on Balance and Functional Performance in Individuals with Paraplegia

Meetika Khurana et al. Top Spinal Cord Inj Rehabil. 2017 Summer.

Abstract

Objective: To determine whether there is any difference between virtual reality game-based balance training and real-world task-specific balance training in improving sitting balance and functional performance in individuals with paraplegia. Methods: The study was a pre test-post test experimental design. There were 30 participants (28 males, 2 females) with traumatic spinal cord injury randomly assigned to 2 groups (group A and B). The levels of spinal injury of the participants were between T6 and T12. The virtual reality game-based balance training and real-world task-specific balance training were used as interventions in groups A and B, respectively. The total duration of the intervention was 4 weeks, with a frequency of 5 times a week; each training session lasted 45 minutes. The outcome measures were modified Functional Reach Test (mFRT), t-shirt test, and the self-care component of the Spinal Cord Independence Measure-III (SCIM-III). Results: There was a significant difference for time (p = .001) and Time × Group effect (p = .001) in mFRT scores, group effect (p = .05) in t-shirt test scores, and time effect (p = .001) in the self-care component of SCIM-III. Conclusions: Virtual reality game-based training is better in improving balance and functional performance in individuals with paraplegia than real-world task-specific balance training.

Keywords: balance; paraplegia; rehabilitation; self-care; virtual reality.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Protocol of the study design.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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