Comparative Analysis of Circuit Gait Training vs Virtual Reality Based Gait Training in Improving Gait among Stroke Patients

Objective: Evidence greatly lacks regarding evaluation of the effect of circuit based gait and balance training in comparison to virtual reality based gait and balance training. Therefore aim of the current study was to compare the effect of both interventions in rehabilitation of stroke outpatients.Methods: Consecutive stroke patients falling on the set criterion were evaluated and recruited from outpatient Rehabilitation Department of Railway General Hospital, Pakistan. Patients were divided into two groups; circuit training group (CTG) (n=19) and exer-gaming/ virtual reality training group (VTG) (n=18) by sealed envelope method. Each group received a training session of 50 minutes for 5 days a week; till 6 weeks. Gait and balance were assessed using Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Timed UP and Go Test (TUG). Informed consent was signed by patients before participation and the study was approved by the Ethical Committee of Riphah College of Rehabilitation Sciences, Pakistan.Results: Final analysis was conducted on 30 stroke patients, 15 in circuit training group (age: 51.53 ± 7.6, male: 8, female: 7, right hemiplegic: 9 and left hemiplegic: 6) and 15 in virtual reality training group (age: 52.40 ± 7.4, male: 11, female: 4, right hemiplegic: 11 and left hemiplegic: 4). Patients improved the score for both outcomes measures from baseline to 6 weeks of intervention (BBS: CTG 36.00 ± 9.9 to 48.60 ± 8.7, VTG 32.73 ± 4.6 to 42.60 ± 8.5; TUG: CTG 26.01 ± 8.5 to 16.57 ± 7.1, VTG 29.80 ± 13.4 to 21.36 ± 9.9). Within group analysis showed significant result in every 2 weeks for both groups except the last two weeks in virtual reality training group.Conclusion: The results of the current study suggest no supremacy of either of the two interventions i.e. virtual reality and circuit class training. Both techniques are equally effective and can improve stroke rehabilitation outcomes in term of gait and balance.