Walking independence is one of the most important goals for stroke patients and a major factor influencing their return to society after the onset of stroke. Stroke patients experience walking difficulties due to hemiplegia and have an increased risk of falls due to impaired balance ability. Recent studies have shown that treadmill-based walking training incorporating virtual reality can help improve walking and balance functions in actual stroke patients. However, there are few randomized clinical trials with control groups, highlighting the need for further research to ensure the reliability of clinical effects. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the impact of treadmill-based training incorporating virtual reality on walking and balance functions. The training equipment to be used is the C-mill VR+ device, which enables walking training and assessment, balance training and assessment, and obstacle training using a front screen and treadmill videos. The investigators intend to thoroughly examine the walking ability and balance ability of the subjects obtained through this equipment, along with various evaluation tools.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
30
The Virtual Reality-Treadmill Training Group (VTT) will consist of 15 participants who will undergo 12 training sessions over 6 weeks, with each session occurring twice a week. Each session will include 30 minutes of conventional rehabilitation therapy followed by an additional 30 minutes of virtual reality-treadmill training. The sequence of these therapies can vary with each session. The virtual reality-treadmill training, conducted under the supervision of a therapist, will focus on five key components: precision stepping, obstacle negotiation, direction of progression, precision acceleration, and walking velocity. Evaluations of walking and balance abilities will be conducted before and after the intervention.
The Conventional Therapy Group (CT) will consist of 15 participants who will undergo 12 training sessions over 6 weeks, with each session occurring twice a week. Each session will include 30 minutes of conventional rehabilitation therapy, aimed at improving walking and balance functions. The therapy will be administered by a therapist and may include exercises focused on muscle strength increase, gait training for step length and walking speed improvement, and balance training. Evaluations of walking and balance abilities will be conducted before and after the intervention.
Department and Research Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine
Seoul, South Korea
Time Up and Go (TUG)
The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test is a simple and reliable assessment used to evaluate a patient's mobility and balance abilities. During the test, the patient starts seated in a chair, then stands up, walks 3 meters to a designated marker, turns around, walks back to the chair, and sits down. The time taken to complete this sequence is measured. Shorter completion times indicate better mobility and balance. The TUG test is widely used to assess walking ability and fall risk in various conditions, including stroke and geriatric disorders.
Time frame: Pret-intervention Assessment
Time Up and Go (TUG)
The Timed Up and Go (TUG) test is a simple and reliable assessment used to evaluate a patient's mobility and balance abilities. During the test, the patient starts seated in a chair, then stands up, walks 3 meters to a designated marker, turns around, walks back to the chair, and sits down. The time taken to complete this sequence is measured. Shorter completion times indicate better mobility and balance. The TUG test is widely used to assess walking ability and fall risk in various conditions, including stroke and geriatric disorders.
Time frame: Baseline (Pre-intervention) and immediately after intervention completion (6 weeks after intervention start)
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