A telerehabilitation program improves postural control in multiple sclerosis patients: a Spanish preliminary study

Postural control disorders are among the most frequent motor disorder symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis. This study aims to demonstrate the potential improvements in postural control among patients with multiple sclerosis who complete a telerehabilitation program that represents a feasible...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:International journal of environmental research and public health 2013-10, Vol.10 (11), p.5697-5710
Main Authors: Ortiz-Gutiérrez, Rosa, Cano-de-la-Cuerda, Roberto, Galán-del-Río, Fernando, Alguacil-Diego, Isabel María, Palacios-Ceña, Domingo, Miangolarra-Page, Juan Carlos
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Alternative medicine
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Multiple sclerosis
Multiple Sclerosis - rehabilitation
Physical therapy
Postural Balance
Rehabilitation
Spain
Telemedicine
Virtual reality
Citations: Items that this one cites
Items that cite this one
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Postural control disorders are among the most frequent motor disorder symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis. This study aims to demonstrate the potential improvements in postural control among patients with multiple sclerosis who complete a telerehabilitation program that represents a feasible alternative to physical therapy for situations in which conventional treatment is not available. Fifty patients were recruited. Control group (n = 25) received physiotherapy treatment twice a week (40 min per session). Experimental group (n = 25) received monitored telerehabilitation treatment via videoconference using the Xbox 360® and Kinect console. Experimental group attended 40 sessions, four sessions per week (20 min per session).The treatment schedule lasted 10 weeks for both groups. A computerized dynamic posturography (Sensory Organization Test) was used to evaluate all patients at baseline and at the end of the treatment protocol. Results showed an improvement over general balance in both groups. Visual preference and the contribution of vestibular information yielded significant differences in the experimental group. Our results demonstrated that a telerehabilitation program based on a virtual reality system allows one to optimize the sensory information processing and integration systems necessary to maintain the balance and postural control of people with multiple sclerosis. We suggest that our virtual reality program enables anticipatory PC and response mechanisms and might serve as a successful therapeutic alternative in situations in which conventional therapy is not readily available.
ISSN:1660-4601
1661-7827
1660-4601
DOI:10.3390/ijerph10115697