Article

Current literature views safe gait as a complex task, relying on
motor and cognitive resources. The use of virtual reality (VR) in gait training
offers a multifactorial approach, showing positive effects on mobility, balance,
and fall risk in elderly people and individuals with neurological disorders. This
form of training has been described as a viable research tool; however, it has
not been applied routinely in clinical practice. Recently, VR was used to develop
an adjunct training method for use by physical therapists in an ambulatory
clinical setting. The aim of this article is to describe the initial
clinical experience of applying a 5-week VR clinical service to improve gait and
mobility in people with a history of falls, poor mobility, or postural
instability. DESIGN: A retrospective data analysis was conducted. METHODS: The
clinical records of the first 60 patients who completed the VR gait training
program were examined. Training was provided 3 times per week for 5 weeks, with
each session lasting approximately 1 hour and consisting of walking on a
treadmill while negotiating virtual obstacles. Main outcome measures were
compared across time and included the Timed "Up & Go" Test (TUG), the Two-Minute
Walk Test (2MWT), and the Four Square Step Test (FSST). RESULTS: After 5 weeks of
training, time to complete the TUG decreased by 10.3%, the distance walked during
the 2MWT increased by 9.5%, and performance on the FSST improved by 13%.
LIMITATIONS: Limitations of the study include the use of a retrospective analysis
with no control group and the lack of objective cognitive assessment.
CONCLUSIONS: Treadmill training with VR appears to be an effective and practical
tool that can be applied in an outpatient physical therapy clinic. This training
apparently leads to improvements in gait, mobility, and postural control. It,
perhaps, also may augment cognitive and functional aspects.
CI - (c) 2014 American Physical Therapy Association.

Langue : ANGLAIS