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Seated gait training with arm swing synchronized to a walking virtual avatar
Kantaro Kojima1, Hirotaka Uchitomi2, Taiki Ogata1,3
1Department of Computer Science, School of Computing, Institute of Science Tokyo, Yokohama, 226-8502, Japan.
Scientific Reports
|June 8, 2026
Summary
Seated virtual reality (VR) gait training with an avatar improved older adults' stride length and foot clearance. This safe, low-cost approach uses synchronized rhythm cues for enhanced gait performance.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Virtual Reality Technology
Background:
- Standing gait training with VR avatars is promising but poses safety risks and high costs for older adults.
- Seated training offers a safer, more accessible alternative for gait rehabilitation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a seated gait training method using VR avatar rhythm assistance.
- To assess the acute effects of this novel approach on gait performance in healthy older adults.
Main Methods:
- A multimodal audiovisual feedback system was created, synchronizing a VR avatar's walking with participants' arm swings.
- Twelve healthy older adults (≥70 years) underwent seated gait training under two conditions: with and without the VR avatar.
- Gait parameters were measured pre- and post-training for each condition.
Main Results:
- Participants' arm swings synchronized with the VR avatar in the 'Avatar' condition.
- Stride length and maximum foot clearance significantly increased in the 'Avatar' condition compared to baseline.
- Stride length improvement was significantly greater with the VR avatar than without.
Conclusions:
- Seated VR gait training with synchronized audiovisual rhythm cues can enhance gait spatial characteristics in older adults.
- This method presents a safe, feasible, and cost-effective alternative to standing VR gait interventions.
- Rhythm assistance via VR avatars shows potential for improving gait performance and mobility in geriatric populations.
