TY - JOUR
T1 - An innovative training program based on virtual reality and treadmill
T2 - effects on gait of persons with multiple sclerosis
AU - Peruzzi, Agnese
AU - Zarbo, Ignazio Roberto
AU - Cereatti, Andrea
AU - Della Croce, Ugo
AU - Mirelman, Anat
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2016 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
PY - 2017/7/17
Y1 - 2017/7/17
N2 - Aim: In this single blind randomized controlled trial, we examined the effect of a virtual reality-based training on gait of people with multiple sclerosis. Methods: Twenty-five individuals with multiple sclerosis with mild to moderate disability were randomly assigned to either the control group (n = 11) or the experimental group (n = 14). The subjects in the control group received treadmill training. Subjects in the experimental group received virtual reality based treadmill training. Clinical measures and gait parameters were evaluated. Result: Subjects in both the groups significantly improved the walking endurance and speed, cadence and stride length, lower limb joint ranges of motion and powers, during single and dual task gait. Moreover, subjects in the experimental group also improved balance, as indicated by the results of the clinical motor tests (p < 0.05). Between-group comparisons revealed that the experimental group improved significantly more than control group in hip range of motion and hip generated power at terminal stance at post-training. Conclusion: Our results support the perceived benefits of training programs that incorporate virtual reality to improve gait measures in individuals with multiple sclerosis. Implication of rehabilitation Gait deficits are common in multiple sclerosis (85%) and worsen during dual task activities. Intensive and progressive treadmill training, with and without virtual reality, is effective on dual task gait in persons with multiple sclerosis. Virtual reality-based treadmill training requiring obstacle negotiation increases the range of motion and the power generated at the hip, consequently allowing longer stride length and, consequently, higher gait speed.
AB - Aim: In this single blind randomized controlled trial, we examined the effect of a virtual reality-based training on gait of people with multiple sclerosis. Methods: Twenty-five individuals with multiple sclerosis with mild to moderate disability were randomly assigned to either the control group (n = 11) or the experimental group (n = 14). The subjects in the control group received treadmill training. Subjects in the experimental group received virtual reality based treadmill training. Clinical measures and gait parameters were evaluated. Result: Subjects in both the groups significantly improved the walking endurance and speed, cadence and stride length, lower limb joint ranges of motion and powers, during single and dual task gait. Moreover, subjects in the experimental group also improved balance, as indicated by the results of the clinical motor tests (p < 0.05). Between-group comparisons revealed that the experimental group improved significantly more than control group in hip range of motion and hip generated power at terminal stance at post-training. Conclusion: Our results support the perceived benefits of training programs that incorporate virtual reality to improve gait measures in individuals with multiple sclerosis. Implication of rehabilitation Gait deficits are common in multiple sclerosis (85%) and worsen during dual task activities. Intensive and progressive treadmill training, with and without virtual reality, is effective on dual task gait in persons with multiple sclerosis. Virtual reality-based treadmill training requiring obstacle negotiation increases the range of motion and the power generated at the hip, consequently allowing longer stride length and, consequently, higher gait speed.
KW - Rehabilitation
KW - dual task
KW - gait
KW - joint kinematics
KW - joint kinetics
KW - virtual reality
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84994098349&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1080/09638288.2016.1224935
DO - 10.1080/09638288.2016.1224935
M3 - Article
C2 - 27808596
AN - SCOPUS:84994098349
SN - 0963-8288
VL - 39
SP - 1557
EP - 1563
JO - Disability and Rehabilitation
JF - Disability and Rehabilitation
IS - 15
ER -