Comparing Virtual Reality and Balance Beam Training vs. Virtual Reality Alone for Balance Improvement.

Abstract

This study investigated whether combining virtual reality (vr) with balance beam training enhances balance performance in young adults more effectively than vr alone, addressing the limited research on their combined effects. thirty-nine participants were randomly assigned to one of three groups: VR with balance beam training, VR alone, or a control group. Participants in the VR groups completed a 5-min rope walking VR game in four sessions per day, 3 days per week, for 4 weeks. Balance was assessed using the Neurocom Balance Master before and after the intervention. Both the combined VR and balance beam group and the VR alone group showed significant improvements compared to the control group, including reduced tandem walk end sway, increased movement velocity, improved maximum excursion in the limit of stability, and decreased sway velocity during single-leg stance with eyes opened. However, no significant differences were found between the combined group and the VR alone group. These findings suggest that both VR combined with balance beam training and VR alone can significantly improve balance in young adults. This indicates that either approach could be effectively used to enhance balance in this population.

Clinical trial registration number: The study was registered at www.thaiclinicaltrials.org (No. TCTR20201217005).