Results from a randomized controlled trial to address balance deficits after traumatic brain injury

Model System:

TBI

Reference Type:

Journal article

Accession No.:

J82271

Journal:

Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation

Year, Volume, Issue, Page(s):

2019 , 100, 8, 1409-1416

Publication Website:

Abstract:

Study evaluated the efficacy of an in-home, 12-week physical therapy intervention that utilized a virtual reality (VR) gaming system to improve balance in individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI), compared to a traditional home-based exercise program (HEP). Sixty-three individuals at least 1-year post-TBI were randomized to traditional HEP or VR HEP. Both groups trained 3 to 4 times per week for 12 weeks, with each session lasting 30 minutes. The primary outcome, exercise difficulty, was determined by the Community Balance and Mobility Scale (CB&M). Secondary outcome measures included the Balance Evaluation Systems Test (BESTest), Activities-Specific Balance Confidence Scale (ABC), Participation Assessment with Recombined Tools-Objective (PART-O). No significant between-group differences were observed in the CB&M over the study duration for individuals who received VR compared to those who received a HEP to address balance deficits after chronic TBI. Similarly, there were no significant difference between groups in any of the secondary outcomes: BESTest, ABC, and PART-O. However, both groups demonstrated significant improvements in CB&M and BESTest from baseline to 6, 12, and at 12 weeks follow-up. Regardless of treatment group, 52 percent of participants met or exceeded the minimal detectable change of 8 points on the CB&M at 24 weeks and 38 percent met or exceeded the minimal detectable change of 7.81 points on the BESTest. This study did not find that VR training was more beneficial than a traditional HEP for improving balance. However, individuals with chronic TBI in both treatment groups demonstrated improvements in balance in response to these interventions which were completed independently in the home environment.

Author(s):