So failed research.
Sitting Balance Exercise Performed Using Virtual Reality Training on a Stroke Rehabilitation Inpatient Service: A Randomized Controlled Study
First published: 22 January 2020
This
article has been accepted for publication and undergone full peer
review but has not been through the copyediting, typesetting, pagination
and proofreading process, which may lead to differences between this
version and the Version of Record. Please cite this article as doi:
10.1002/pmrj.12331.
Abstract
Introduction
Virtual reality training (VRT) is engaging and may enhance rehabilitation intensity. Only one previous study has looked at its use to improve sitting balance after stroke.Objective
To determine if supplemental sitting balance exercises, administered via VRT, improve control of sitting balance and upper extremity function in stroke rehabilitation inpatients.Design
Assessor‐blinded, placebo‐controlled randomized controlled trial.Setting
Stroke inpatient rehabilitation unit.Participants
Seventy‐six participants (out of 130 approached) with sub‐acute stroke who could not stand independently were randomized to experimental and control groups. Sixty‐nine completed the study.Interventions
The experimental group did VRT that required leaning and reaching, while the control group had their trunk restrained and performed VRT which only involved small upper extremity movements, to minimize trunk movement. Both groups performed 10‐12 sessions of 30‐45 minutes. Participants were assessed pre‐, post and one‐month post the sessions by a blinded examiner.Outcome Measures
Function in Sitting Test (FIST, primary outcome measure); Ottawa Sitting Scale; Reaching Performance Scale; Wolf Motor Function Test (WMFT).Results
Thirty‐three participants completed the experimental intervention and 36 the control. Pre/post differences for FIST were 3.4 [confidence interval (CI) 0.5;6.3] for the experimental group and 5.3 (2.9;7.7) for the control group. There was a significant improvement over time (adjusted for multiple comparisons, p<0.006) on most outcome measures excepting the WMFT Performance Time Scale (control group; p=0.007) and grip strength (p=0.008); there were no differences between groups (p>0.006).Conclusions
Siting balance outcomes were similar for both groups; therefore this study does not support the use of sitting balance exercises provided via VRT for the rehabilitation of sitting balance after stroke. However, because it is only the second study to investigate VRT for sitting balance and upper extremity function, more research, using more challenging exercises and a greater treatment intensity, is required before definitive conclusions are made.This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
