Feasibility of virtual reality and treadmill training in traumatic brain injury: a randomized controlled pilot trial

ABSTRACT

Objective

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of treadmill training with virtual reality compared to treadmill training alone and standard of care balance and mobility treatment in chronic traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Participants and Design

Thirty-one individuals with chronic TBI with self-reported and objective balance deficits participated in a 4-week 12 session intervention of treadmill training with virtual reality, treadmill training alone, or standard of care overground therapy.

Outcome Measures

Primary measures included recruitment and enrollment rates, retention, tolerance to intervention, completeness of outcome measures, and adverse events. Secondary measures included the Community Balance and Mobility Scale, 10 Meter Walk Test, 6 Minute Walk Test, and Timed Up and Go.

Results

No serious adverse events were reported. All participants completed all training sessions and assessments at all time points. Recruitment, enrollment, and retention rates were high. All groups showed a trend toward improvement in all balance and mobility measures following treatment.

Conclusion

Virtual reality and treadmill training are safe and feasibile for individuals with TBI. Participants show improvements on balance and mobility measures following a 4-week intervention. Future research is needed to evaluate the efficacy of this intervention compared to other modes of balance and mobility training.

KEYWORDS:

• Virtual reality
• treadmill training
• traumatic brain injury
• balance
• gait training

Acknowledgments

All study participants, all PTs who assisted with treatment and evaluations including Maureen Connor, Annie Daorai, James Ford, Megan Haas, Elana Karkowski-Schelar Kate Mickalowski, Seth Newman, and Leya Nolan. Research support from Clare Morey and Angela Philippus. MD consultation from Dr. Michael Makley.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This trial was supported by the Craig Hospital Foundation No Grant Number.