The effects of robot-assisted gait training using virtual reality and auditory stimulation on balance and gait abilities in persons with stroke

Background: Robot-assisted gait training provide a big therapeutic advantage in functional mobility for postural control.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was investigate the effects of robot-assisted gait training using virtual reality and auditory stimulation on balance and gait abilities in stroke patients.

Methods: All subjects were randomly divided into three groups where twelve subjects were in the Virtual reality robot-assisted gait training group (VRGT), twelve subjects in the auditory stimulation robot-assisted gait training group (ARGT), and sixteen subjects in the control group. Subjects received virtual reality and auditory stimulation while undergoing robot-assisted gait training for 45 minutes, three times a week for 6 weeks, and all subjects had undergone general physical therapy for 30 minutes, five times a week for 6 weeks. All subjects were assessed with the Medical Research Council (MRC), Berg balance scale (BBS), timed up and go test (TUG), 10-meter walk test (10MWT), Fugl-Myer Assessment (FMA) and Modified Barthel Index (MBI) pre- and post-intervention.

Results: Results showed that BBS, TUG, and 10MWT scores significantly improved post-intervention (p < 0.05), and the control group also had significantly improved in all areas post-treatment (p < 0.05). In addition, it has been confirmed that VRGT had significantly improved in MRC and FMA scores compared with the auditory stimulation. Also, it has significantly improved in MRC, BBS, TUG, 10MWT and FMA compared with control group (p < 0.05).

Conclusions: The results of this study showed improve balance and gait abilities after VRGT compared with general physical therapy and were found to be effective in enhancing the functional activity of persons with stroke.