Immediate effect of video viewing with an illusion of walking at a faster speed using virtual reality on actual walking of stroke patients

Abstract

[Purpose] The objective of this study was to provide cerebral stroke patients with virtual reality videos of gait occurring at a faster speed than their actual measured gait speed and ascertain the effect on generating errors of gait. [Participants and Methods] The participants were 12 stroke patients. They were given a 2-minute virtual reality presentation of gait occurring at a speed faster than their actual measured comfortable walking speed. Immediately following the presentation, their 10-m walking speed was measured again to observe the immediate effect of the intervention, after which the time required to walk at maximum gait speed was measured. Stride length, cadence, and walking speed before and after the intervention were compared. In addition, heard an immersive feeling. [Results] At a comfortable walking speed, the cadence improved significantly post-intervention. Walking speed and stride length also tended to increase. At the maximum walking speed, there were no significant differences in any parameter. There was no problem with the immersive feeling. [Conclusion] After watching virtual reality videos of gait at a speed faster than the patients’ actual gait speed, their walking speed tended to increase in comfortable walking. It was speculated that this technique could be applied to walking training, depending on the device.