Effectiveness of immersive virtual reality training to improve sitting balance control among individuals with acute and sub-acute paraplegia: A randomized clinical trial

This study investigated whether using virtual reality (VR) training could improve the ability to sit and maintain balance in people with incomplete paraplegia, a condition resulting from spinal cord injury. They compared VR training to functional electrical stimulation (FES), a technique that uses electrical pulses to stimulate muscles. The results showed that both VR training and FES improved sitting balance, but VR training led to more significant improvements. This suggests that VR can be a useful tool for helping individuals with paraplegia regain their balance and independence. The study highlights the potential of VR as a rehabilitation method, offering a stimulating and interactive way to improve balance control. This could lead to better outcomes and increased independence for individuals with spinal cord injuries.

• 1
  Both VR training and FES improved sitting balance significantly in individuals with incomplete paraplegia.
• 2
  VR training combined with conventional physical therapy (CPT) showed more significant improvements in sitting balance compared to FES combined with CPT.
• 3
  VR training demonstrated clinically significant improvements in dynamic sitting balance, as measured by the Modified Functional Reach Test (mFRT) and Function in Sitting Test (FIST).