The Effects of a VR Training Program for Walker Avoidance Skill Improvement: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Area of Science:

• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Virtual Reality Technology
• Motor Control and Learning

Background:

• Collision avoidance is crucial for preventing falls and injuries, particularly in dynamic environments.
• Traditional rehabilitation methods may lack engagement and personalized feedback for motor skill enhancement.
• Virtual reality (VR) offers immersive and interactive platforms for targeted motor training.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a novel VR head-mounted display (VR-HMD) game, "walker avoidance," in reducing step-aside reaction time (SART).
• To assess the VR game's impact on enhancing agility and collision avoidance capabilities.
• To explore the potential of this VR training as a digital therapy for improving motor function.

Main Methods:

• Fifteen young adults (experimental group, EG) played the "walker avoidance" VR game; 15 (control group, CG) played a tutorial game.
• Measurements included SART (standing and walking), electromyography, and forefoot/hindfoot ground reaction forces.
• Two VR training sessions were conducted one week apart, with pre- and post-intervention assessments.

Main Results:

• The EG showed significant reductions in SART (standing and walking) post-intervention compared to pre-intervention.
• Compared to the CG, the EG demonstrated significant improvements in SART and quicker step-aside movements.
• The EG exhibited fewer collisions with virtual pedestrians and reduced reaction times to directional changes.

Conclusions:

• The "walker avoidance" VR game effectively improves motor function, specifically reducing reaction times and enhancing agility in collision avoidance.
• This VR training represents a novel and effective digital therapy approach for rehabilitation.
• The study provides innovative perspectives for clinical rehabilitation and VR content development.