PNF and Movement 2024; 22(3): 473-483
https://doi.org/10.21598/JKPNFA.2024.22.3.473
Effects of HMD-based Virtual Reality Training Combined with Traditional Physical Therapy on Balance and Gait in Chronic Stroke Patients
Sun-Min Kim, Ph.D.1⋅Dong-Hoon Kim, Ph.D.†
Department of Physical Therapy, Gimcheon University
Correspondence to: †Dong-Hoon Kim (roopi00yo@gimcheon.ac.kr)
Received: November 10, 2024; Revised: November 25, 2024; Accepted: November 26, 2024; Published online: December 31, 2024.
© Korea Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation Association. All rights reserved.

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Abstract
Purpose: This study aims to investigate the effects of HMD-based virtual reality training combined with traditional physical therapy on balance and gait in chronic stroke patients.
Methods: Fifty-four stroke patients participated in the study, which was divided into three groups: HMD-based virtual reality training with traditional physical therapy (HVRT), HMD-VR (HVR) only, and traditional physical therapy (TT). The interventions were conducted twice daily, with each session lasting 30 minutes, over a period of eight weeks. The outcome measures included the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), Timed Up and Go Test (TUG), and the 10-meter walk test.
Results: The HVRT and HVR groups showed significant improvements in BBS, TUG, walking speed, cadence, step length, stride length, single limb support, and balance confidence compared to the TT group (p < 0.05). Furthermore, the VR group demonstrated better outcomes in BBS, TUG, and gait parameters than the VT group (p < 0.05).
Conclusion: Fully HMD-based VR balance training for more than 30 minutes, three times a week over eight weeks, positively impacted balance, walking, and confidence in chronic stroke patients. This study found that traditional physical therapy alone had limited effectiveness and evaluated the efficacy of HMD-based virtual reality intervention programs in the rehabilitation of stroke patients. These results will help improve the quality of life for stroke patients and provide foundational data for HMD-based virtual reality rehabilitation programs
Keywords: Stroke, HMD virtual reality, Balance training, Gait analysis

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