Clinical Effects of Virtual Avatar Gait Training to Improve Gait, Balance, and Lower Extremity Coordination after Stroke: A Pilot Study

Objective: This study investigated the effects of virtual avatar gait training on improving gait, balance, and lower-extremitycoordination in patients with stroke and assessed its potential for efficient recovery of physical function in stroke rehabilitation. Design: One-group pretest–posttest designMethods: : Virtual avatar gait training was conducted in 20 patients with stroke. All participants underwent general physicaltherapy and virtual avatar gait training for 30 min/d, 3 d/week, for 6 weeks. To determine the effects of training, gait ability wasmeasured using the temporal gait symmetry index, spatial gait symmetry index, 10-m walking test, and 6-minwalking test. Balanceability was measured using the Berg balance scale and four-square step test, and lower-extremity coordination was assessed usingthe lower-extremity motor coordination test. Results: After virtual avatar gait training, gait ability significantly improved based on the spatial gait symmetry index,10-mwalking test, and 6-min walking test (p<0.05). Balance ability significantly improved based on the Berg balance scale andfour-square step test (p<0.05). Lower-extremity coordination significantly improved based on the lower-extremity motorcoordination test (p<0.05). Conclusions: Virtual avatar gait training improved gait, balance, and lower-extremity coordination in patients with stroke, thusproviding foundational data and insights for the efficient recovery of physical function.