[Effects of virtual reality on balance and gait in stroke: a systematic review and meta-analysis]

Abstract

Introduction: Stroke is the leading cause of disability in adulthood. Recently the improvement of virtual reality technologies has been used in the rehabilitation of stroke patients.

Aim: To review published research literature on the effects of the virtual reality interventions vs conventional therapy on balance and gait in stroke.

Patients and methods: A systematic and a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials was performed during March 2018 in the databases: PubMed, PEDro, Web of Science, Scopus, Cochrane Library and Medline at EBSCO. The selection criteria were: randomized controlled trials published in English or Spanish during the past ten years. The PEDro scale evaluated the quality of the methods used in the studies. A total of 14 clinical trials were included in the systemic review, of which 10 contributed information to the meta-analysis.

Results: Favourable results were found on balance (Berg Balance Scale: standardized mean difference, SMD = -1.89; 95% CI: -2.72 to -1.07; Timed Up and Go, SMD: 1.42; 95% CI: 1.03-1.81), and gait (GaitRite platform: cadence, SMD: -1.51, 95% CI: -2.05 to -0.97; step length, SMD: -1.63, 95% CI: -2.18 to -1.08; stride length, SMD: -1.63, 95% CI: -2.18 to -1.08; velocity, SMD: -1.58, 95% CI: -2.97 to -0.18).

Conclusion: The results show the potential benefit of virtual reality interventions to recover balance and gait after stroke.