Effects Of Virtual Reality Based Treadmill Training On Walking Function, Gait Speed And Symmetry After Stroke

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy and feasibility of virtual reality with treadmill training in treatment with gait dysfunction after stroke.Methods:A randomized single-blind controlled trial, sixty participants were randomized into the therapy group(n=30) and the control group(n=30). The control group received conventional treatment include basic training 20 minutes and treadmill training 20 minutes, the therapy group accept virtual reality combined with treadmill training 20 minutes and basic training 20 minutes. Main outcomes measures including Function ambulation classification, Fugl-Meyer lower motor assessment, gait speed, symmetry ratio using step length, swing time, stance time were compared to baseline and after treatment.Results:Before treatment, the differences of FAC level, FMA-L score, walking speed, gait symmetry in 2 groups were no statistically significant(P>0.05). After treatment, the scores of the FAC, FMA-L and gait speed is (mean rank 15.5), (26.23±4.38) and (0.67±0.05)m/s, the gait symmetry index (mean rank 11.50、13.50、14.46&2.00) in the therapy group had significant improvement than the control group that revealed statistically differences between the groups (P<0.05).Conclusion:The Virtual Reality with treadmill training can be more effective to enhance the walking function in patients after stroke, clinical efficacy and feasibility of the method is good and worth of further promoting.