A rehabilitation tool for functional balance using altered gravity and virtual reality

This research introduces a new rehabilitation tool designed to improve balance and gait in patients who have difficulties due to conditions like spinal cord injury or hip fractures. The tool combines altered gravity with a virtual reality environment to make balance training more effective. The system involves subjects lying in a tilted position while interacting with a virtual environment that simulates an upright posture. This setup allows them to practice balance without the risk of falling, which is particularly beneficial for frail patients. A study with healthy subjects showed that training in this environment improved both strength and balance. This suggests the potential for this tool to provide early and effective rehabilitation for patients with balance and gait issues.

• 1
  Combined strength and balance training in a tilted virtual environment improves upright balance function and muscular strength.
• 2
  Balance improvements are linked to enhanced use of somatosensory and visual information, rather than vestibular tilt orientation mechanisms.
• 3
  Postural corrections were implemented more quickly after training, as indicated by a shorter critical time parameter in the Stabilogram-Diffusion analysis.