Effects of semi-immersive virtual reality and manipulation of optic flow speed on gait biomechanics in people post-stroke

Authors

  • Emma De Keersmaecker Rehabilitation Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium; Center for Neurosciences (C4N), Brussels, Belgium; Brussels Human Robotic Research Center (BruBotics), Brussels, Belgium; Alliance research group REBI (Rehabilitation technology for people with a brain injury), Vrije Universiteit Brussel & Ghent University, Brussels, Ghent, Belgium
  • Anke Van Bladel Alliance research group REBI (Rehabilitation technology for people with a brain injury), Vrije Universiteit Brussel & Ghent University, Brussels, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium; Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium
  • Silvia Zaccardi Rehabilitation Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium; Brussels Human Robotic Research Center (BruBotics), Brussels, Belgium; Department of Electronics and Informatics, Engineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
  • Nina Lefeber Rehabilitation Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
  • Carlos Rodriguez-Guerrero Department of Mechanical Engineering, KU Leuven, Heverlee Leuven, Belgium
  • Eric Kerckhofs Rehabilitation Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
  • Bart Jansen Brussels Human Robotic Research Center (BruBotics), Brussels, Belgium; Department of Electronics and Informatics, Engineering Sciences, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium; Imec, Leuven, Belgium
  • Eva Swinnen Rehabilitation Research Group, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium; Center for Neurosciences (C4N), Brussels, Belgium; Brussels Human Robotic Research Center (BruBotics), Brussels, Belgium; Alliance research group REBI (Rehabilitation technology for people with a brain injury), Vrije Universiteit Brussel & Ghent University, Brussels, Ghent, Belgium

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.2340/jrm.v56.12384

Keywords:

virtual reality, stroke, gait biomechanics, optic flow

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate how people post-stroke and healthy people experience the addition of semi-immersive virtual reality (VR) and optic flow speed manipulation while walking on a treadmill, and if optic flow speed manipulation could be used in rehabilitation to elicit changes in post-stroke gait biomechanics.

Methods: Sixteen people post-stroke and 16 healthy controls walked on a self-paced treadmill. After 2 habituation trials (without and with VR), participants walked 3 more trials under the following conditions of optic flow: matched, slow, and fast. Primary outcome measures were spatiotemporal gait parameters and lower limb kinematics. Secondary outcomes (simulator sickness and enjoyment) were assessed with the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ) and visual analogue scales (VAS).

Results: VR did not influence the gait biomechanics, and optic flow manipulation had a limited effect. Both groups significantly increased their walking speed with the slow optic flow and decreased their speed with the fast optic flow. For the other gait parameters, only small changes were found. Only people post-stroke had a significant increase on the SSQ and the enjoyment-VAS.

Conclusion: Adding semi-immersive VR did not influence the gait pattern, was well tolerated, and enjoyable. Both groups altered their gait parameters when the optic flow speed was adjusted during the protocol. Incorporating such manipulations into treadmill training is feasible, but further research about the type of manipulation and level of immersion is needed.

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Published

2024-01-10

How to Cite

De Keersmaecker, E., Van Bladel, A., Zaccardi, S., Lefeber, N., Rodriguez-Guerrero, C., Kerckhofs, E., … Swinnen, E. (2024). Effects of semi-immersive virtual reality and manipulation of optic flow speed on gait biomechanics in people post-stroke. Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, 56, jrm12384. https://doi.org/10.2340/jrm.v56.12384

Issue

Vol. 56 (2024)

Section

Original Report

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Copyright (c) 2024 Emma De Keersmaecker, Anke Van Bladel, Silvia Zaccardi, Nina Lefeber, Carlos Rodriguez-Guerrero, Eric Kerckhofs, Bart Jansen, Eva Swinnen

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