earticle

영어

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a virtual reality (VR) program on balance ability and brain waves in stroke patients, and to provide additional therapeutic evidence for brain plasticity and clinical treatment. The study involved a total of 20 stroke patients, using a pre-post single measurement experimental design. Participants were randomly assigned to either the experimental group (N=10), which used a VR program, or the control group (N=10), which performed seated balance training using the gym ball tool without VR. The VR program included 15 minutes of tennis and 15 minutes of badminton for the experimental group, while the control group used the gym ball tool for seated balance exercises, performing balance training for 15 minutes in the front-back direction and 15 minutes in the side-to-side direction. Additionally, balance ability was assessed for 20 minutes before and after training, and brain waves were measured for a total of 10 minutes in 2-minutes and three times intervals before and after the training. Balance ability assessments showed a significant increase in the movement of center of pressure (COP) from 12.97±10.51 before training to 23.75±15.40 after training in both groups. Notably, brain wave measurements indicated a significant increase in the Fp1 region from 0.363±0.054 before training to 0.424±0.044 after training, and a significant change in relative beta waves in the O2 region from 0.316±0.107 before training to 0.419±0.142 after training (p<.05). This study demonstrated that balance exercises based on virtual reality activate brain plasticity, leading to changes in brainwave patterns and positive effects on balance ability. It is believed that this approach could not only improve the quality of life for stroke patients but also offer a new paradigm in stroke rehabilitation therapy.