Effectiveness of VR Rehabilitation for People With Asymmetrical Gait Patterns

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Rehabilitation in Patients With Gait Pattern Asymmetry Using a Virtual Reality

A randomized comparative study will be conducted to evaluate the rehabilitation process using a VR-based application versus conventional therapy in 40 patients (sample size determined using a sample size calculator). After meeting the eligibility criteria, participants will be randomly assigned to two groups: the experimental group (20 patients with gait pattern asymmetry), performing a gait training program using a VR rehabilitation application, and the control group (20 patients with gait pattern asymmetry), performing only a conventional gait training program.

Participants in both groups will take part in a 2-week rehabilitation program (Monday to Friday), with daily training sessions lasting up to 2 hours. Patient assessment will be conducted twice: an initial evaluation before the start of the intervention (Assessment I) and a follow-up evaluation after completion of the 2-week program (Assessment II), at the same time of day, under the same conditions, and using the same measurement tools.

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Rehabilitation; Disability Evaluation; Recovery of Function
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Virtual Reality (VR) and Standard Rehabilitation; Other: Standard Rehabilitation

Detailed Description

Individuals with a diagnosed and clinically confirmed asymmetry of gait pattern will be eligible for inclusion in the study.

Exclusion criteria: Active rheumatic diseases, cancer, advanced diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and other conditions affecting the safety and effectiveness of rehabilitation, Contraindications to VR therapy (epilepsy, motion sickness, dizziness, nausea), Lower limb injuries or surgeries within the last 6 months, Severe mental disorders preventing understanding of instructions.

Training for both groups will include balance and coordination exercises, proprioceptive stimulation, and exercises aimed at improving step length symmetry and lower limb loading. Additionally, the experimental group will receive 15 to 30 minutes (adjusted to the patient's abilities) of training using a VR application in a virtual environment, providing real-time feedback on body position, step length, and balance. The effects of gait training will be evaluated using the following measures: gait speed, walking endurance, independent mobility and risk of falls, balance, gait symmetry, spinal mobility, and functional performance.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Estimated): 40
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Agnieszka Guzik; Phone Number: +48 17 851 8965; Email: aguzik@ur.edu.pl

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult; Older Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosed and clinically confirmed gait pattern asymmetry in the course of neurological diseases
• Informed consent to participate in the study and willingness to comply with rehabilitation recommendations

Exclusion Criteria:

• Active rheumatic diseases, cancer, advanced diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and other conditions that may affect the safety and effectiveness of rehabilitation
• Contraindications to VR therapy (epilepsy, motion sickness, dizziness, nausea)
• Lower limb injuries or surgeries within the last 6 months
• Severe mental disorders preventing understanding of instructions
• Lack of informed consent to participate in the study

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Primary Purpose: Treatment
• Allocation: Randomized
• Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
• Masking: Triple

Number of Arms

2

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm	Intervention / Treatment
Other: Control: Standard Rehabilitation	Other: Standard Rehabilitation; The control group will participate only in a conventional gait training program. Participants will take part in a 2-week rehabilitation program (Monday to Friday), with daily training sessions lasting up to 2 hours. Training will include balance and coordination exercises, proprioceptive stimulation, and exercises aimed at improving step length symmetry and lower limb loading.
Experimental: VR Therapy and Standard Rehabilitation	Other: Virtual Reality (VR) and Standard Rehabilitation; The experimental group will participate in a gait training program using a VR rehabilitation application. Participants will take part in a 2-week rehabilitation program (Monday to Friday), with daily training sessions lasting up to 2 hours. Training will include balance and coordination exercises, proprioceptive stimulation, and exercises aimed at improving step length symmetry and lower limb loading. Additionally, the experimental group will receive 15 to 30 minutes (adjusted to the patient's abilities) of training using a VR application in a virtual environment, providing real-time feedback on body position, step length, and balance.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Time Frame
Gait speed - 10-meter walk test	Baseline (Day 1)
Gait speed - 10-meter walk test	Immediately after therapy completion (Day 10)
Walking Endurance - 6-Minute Walk Test	Baseline (Day 1)
Walking Endurance - 6-Minute Walk Test	Immediately after therapy completion (Day 10)
Independent Mobility and Fall Risk - Timed "Get Up & Go" Test	Baseline (Day 1)
Independent Mobility and Fall Risk - Timed "Get Up & Go" Test	Immediately after therapy completion (Day 10)
Lower Limb Loading Symmetry - Two-Scale Test	Baseline (Day 1)
Lower Limb Loading Symmetry - Two-Scale Test	Immediately after therapy completion (Day 10)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Gait and Balance - Dynamic Gait Index		Baseline (Day 1)
Gait and Balance - Dynamic Gait Index		Immediately after therapy completion (Day 10)
Gait Asymmetry - Wisconsin Gait Scale	The Wisconsin Gait Scale is an observational tool used to assess gait quality. Scores range from 13.35 to 42, with higher scores indicating worse gait performance.	Baseline (Day 1)
Gait Asymmetry - Wisconsin Gait Scale	The Wisconsin Gait Scale is an observational tool used to assess gait quality. Scores range from 13.35 to 42, with higher scores indicating worse gait performance.	Immediately after therapy completion (Day 10)

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Rzeszow
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Agnieszka Guzik, Rzeszów, Al. Rejtana 16C, Poland 35-310

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): March 1, 2027
• Primary Completion (Estimated): June 1, 2027
• Study Completion (Estimated): August 1, 2027

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: April 28, 2026
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: April 28, 2026
• First Posted (Actual): May 6, 2026

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 11, 2026
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 5, 2026
• Last Verified: May 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Other Study ID Numbers: 1/11/2025

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No