Task Oriented Approach Via Virtual Reality for Improving Postural Control in Stroke Patients

Stroke patients often show an asymmetrical weight distribution, as the paretic leg provides less support and less weight-shift activity than the sound leg does. The aim of the study was to determine the influence of task oriented approach via virtual reality on postural control in stroke survivors. Thirty stroke patients were randomly allocated to two equal groups (control and study groups). The control group received a traditional balance program for 45 minutes and the study group received a virtual reality rehabilitation based on the Nintendo (R) Wii Balance Board (WBB) for 30 minutes in addition to the balance exercises given to the control group. The training was three times per week for 8 successive weeks. Pre and post intervention outcome measures were: Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Functional Reach Test (FRT), Timed Up and Go test (TUG), Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and detecting the center of pressure (COP) and the weight distribution by using a Wii balance board. There was an improvement in all measures in both groups. But the improvement in the balance outcomes was more in the study group. This study suggested that task-oriented approach using virtual reality could improve postural control and balance in stroke patients. Thus the study contributes in raising the awareness of the benefits of using more than one approach in improving the functional outcomes of survivors of stroke.