Effects of Virtual Reality vs Conventional Balance Training on Balance and Falls in People With Multiple Sclerosis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

This randomised control trial had the objective of determining the efficacy of virtual reality-based training compared to conventional training on balance and reduction of falls in multiple sclerosis patients. The trial included 39 participants which were assigned to a control group or an experimental group.

The control group received conventional balance training and the experimental group received VR-based balance training. Several balance outcome measures were taken pre and post intervention as well as the number of falls before and after the intervention at a 3 month follow up.

The results showed that at the 3 month follow up the reaction time and number of falls for the experimental group showed significant improvement compared to the control. Both groups showed significant improvements in the timed up and go test and the 10m walk test which were completed in duality with a cognitive task and an improvement the dual task costs measurement was also found. 

Therefore, the study concluded that VR training showed high efficacy in enhancing cognitive motor function and reducing falls compared to conventional training in MS patients.