earticle

영어

This study aimed to determine the effects of the virtual reality respiratory exercise and conventional respiratory exercise on diaphragm movement and pulmonary function in patients with stroke. Thirty subjects with stroke (an average age of 54.9 years) were randomly allocated to virtual reality respiratory exercise (n=15, VR group), and conventional respiratory exercise (n=15, control group). The two exercises were performed for 30 minutes 2 times a week for 4 weeks. This study measured diaphragm movement and pulmonary function before and after each 4-weeks exercise. Ultrasonography was used for measuring the diaphragm movement, and AVAD9 was used to measure the pulmonary function; forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), peak expiratory flow (PEF). The control group showed a significant increase in PEF (p<.05), but no significant different in diaphragm movement, FVC, FEV1. The VR group showed a significant increase in all dependent variables (p<.05), except the FEV1. In comparison of two group, the VR group showed significant increases in diaphragm movement, FVC, and PEF relative to the control group (p<.05). Based on the above results, it can be concluded that the virtual reality respiratory exercise is more effective than conventional respiratory exercise on diaphragm movement and pulmonary function for rehabilitation in patients with stroke.