Study on the Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Game-Based Training on Balance and Functional Performance in Individuals with Paraplegia

• Published in: Topics in spinal cord injury rehabilitation 2017-06, Vol.23 (3), p.263-270
• Main Authors: Khurana, Meetika, Walia, Shefali, Noohu, Majumi M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Proffered Papers
• ISSN: 1082-0744; 1945-5763
• DOI: 10.1310/sci16-00003

To determine whether there is any difference between virtual reality game-based balance training and real-world task-specific balance training in improving sitting balance and functional performance in individuals with paraplegia. The study was a pre test-post test experimental design. There were 30 participants (28 males, 2 females) with traumatic spinal cord injury randomly assigned to 2 groups (group A and B). The levels of spinal injury of the participants were between T6 and T12. The virtual reality game-based balance training and real-world task-specific balance training were used as interventions in groups A and B, respectively. The total duration of the intervention was 4 weeks, with a frequency of 5 times a week; each training session lasted 45 minutes. The outcome measures were modified Functional Reach Test (mFRT), t-shirt test, and the self-care component of the Spinal Cord Independence Measure-III (SCIM-III). There was a significant difference for time ( = .001) and Time × Group effect ( = .001) in mFRT scores, group effect ( = .05) in t-shirt test scores, and time effect ( = .001) in the self-care component of SCIM-III. Virtual reality game-based training is better in improving balance and functional performance in individuals with paraplegia than real-world task-specific balance training.