2021, Vol. 3, Issue 2, Part A

Stroke is the leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Stroke survivors often have deficit in motor control which contributed to reduced balance, postural control and mobility. The majority of published studies reported positive results but traditional rehabilitation programmes tend to be tedious and require specialized facilities or equipment. Virtual reality (VR) has a prominent role in promoting functional recovery after stroke. It has the potential to deliver the effective intervention at low cost. VR provides enriched motivational training and goal-orientated tasks which improve patients’ adherence to programme. Previous studies indicated that it might be more effective in improving dynamic balance control and preventing falls in subacute and chronic stroke patients compared to conventional therapy. To critically evaluate the studies that were conducted and to assess the impact of virtual reality on static and dynamic balance control in the stroke population.

Methods: We did a systematic review and network meta-analysis. We searched PubMed, Google Scholar and MedRxiv for correct data. In this study we included all the descriptive studies, meta-analysis and statistical analysis studies which deals with virtual reality on postural and balance control among stroke. We extracted data following predefined hierarchy. In this studies, we assessed the knowledge of virtual reality of postural and balance control among stroke patients.

Findings: According to the 15 studies we identified, involving 1000 individuals, Reduced balance and postural control is a major contributor to functional limitations and barriers to perform activities of daily living in patients with stroke. This study reviewed existing evidence on the effect of the virtual reality training on balance and postural control.

With the fair and moderate quality evidences, the study found that the virtual reality training is an effective alternate to the routine rehabilitation to improve dynamic balance and static balance in patients with chronic stroke. But simply the virtual reality training wouldn’t be an effective way to deliver balance control in patients within a home setting without therapist's input. However, the virtual reality training combined with conventional rehabilitation program with some therapeutic exercises will be more effective in delivering static and dynamic balance control in stroke patients.