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Updated: Jul 17, 2026
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A Rehabilitation Program of Exoskeleton-assisted Body Weight-Supported Treadmill Training with Non-immersive Virtual Reality for Stroke Patients
Published on: May 16, 2025
Locomotor rehabilitation in a complex virtual environment
J Fung1, F Malouin, B J McFadyen
1Jewish Rehabilitation Hospital, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
Summary
Virtual reality (VR) offers a safe method for locomotor training. This study developed a VR system to enhance gait rehabilitation for stroke patients, showing promising results in improving walking capacity.
Area of Science:
- Rehabilitation Engineering
- Neuroscience
- Virtual Reality Applications
Background:
- Locomotor training is crucial for recovery after stroke.
- Traditional methods often lack varied environments and sufficient practice.
- Virtual reality (VR) presents a novel approach to enhance training safety and efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a virtual environment (VE) integrated with a self-paced treadmill for locomotor training.
- To compare gait parameters across different VE scenarios.
- To create an optimized training protocol for post-stroke locomotor disorders.
Main Methods:
- A motorized treadmill was mounted on a six-degree-of-freedom motion platform.
- Virtual environments were created using commercial software and projected on a large screen.
- System control and servo-control of treadmill speed and scene progression were managed via CAREN software.
Main Results:
- Healthy subjects demonstrated control over walking speed and immersion in the VE.
- A street crossing training protocol was successfully developed.
- Preliminary data suggest VR can enhance presence and control during gait training.
Conclusions:
- The developed VR-treadmill system provides a safe and controlled environment for locomotor training.
- Progressively complex VEs are expected to improve locomotor capacity in stroke survivors.
- This technology holds potential for personalized and effective gait rehabilitation.
