To Establish the Effectiveness of Immersive Virtual Reality Training to Improve Balance Control among Patients with Incomplete Paraplegia

Background: Virtual reality (VR) ought to be a visionary and favorable developmental tool for neurorehabilitation. VR has shown a great impact on balance control in SCI patients. FES also proves to be a promising intervention for sitting balance. The purpose of the study is to establish the effectiveness of Immersive VR training in balance among patients with incomplete paraplegia and compare it with FES.
Methods: Total 18 number of SCI patients of age group between 18-60 years were on the basis of the selection criteria. For assessment, Modified Functional Reach Test and Function in Sitting Test were performed to evaluate sitting balance. Subjects were randomly allocated into 2 groups, Group VR (n=9) and Group FES (n=9). Group VR + CPT received VR training with conventional therapy and Group FES + CPT encountered FES for truncal muscles and conventional therapy. Both groups received treatment for four weeks with 5 sessions per week. Statistical analysis performed within and between the group using repeated measures ANOVA or Friedman test and Mann-Whitney U-test/Independent t-test.
Results: Statistical analysis performed within and between the group using repeated measures ANOVA or Friedman test and Mann-Whitney U-test/Independent t-test.
Conclusion: The results of this study concluded VR having positive effects with an adjunct to conventional physiotherapy for sitting balance control in patients with Spinal cord injury.