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The Effect of Different Virtual Reality Trainings on Gait, Balance and Posture of Individuals With Dementia

Not Applicable
Completed
Conditions
Dementia
Registration Number
NCT04377191
Lead Sponsor
Ankara Yildirim Beyazıt University
Brief Summary

Dementia, a part of geriatric syndrome, is characterized by the deterioration of multiple cognitive domains such as memory, language, orientation, learning and personality as a result of damage to the central nervous system and in terms prognosis persistent and often progressive clinical condition. In the epidemiological studies it is stated that the number of the dementia affected people approximately 2 times in every 20 years. In several studies, it has been mentioned that cognitive disorders affect individuals' motor function such as gait and postural responses. These effects lead to a vicious circle by causing immobilization of individuals due to a decrease in cognitive functions in addition to immobilization due to aging. The lack of pharmacological therapies to change the prognosis of dementia, emphasizes physical activity methods due to its neurological contributions. However, due to the fact that conventional exercise programs are seen as boring in terms of elderly individuals and the exercise attendance rates are low, the virtual reality (VR) training have been preferred recently. To the best of the investigator's knowledge, there is no study examining the effect of different virtual reality trainings on the spatio-temporal characteristics of the gait, posture and balance. Therefore, the aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of different virtual reality trainings on these parameters.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
COMPLETED
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
30
Inclusion Criteria
  • Diagnosed with dementia
  • Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score between 18-23 points
  • Able to walk independently with/without a walking aid (a single point cane)
  • Able to speak and understand Turkish
  • Understand simple commands
  • At least primary education
Exclusion Criteria
  • Severly vision and hearing problems
  • Undergo acute retinal hemorrhage or ophthalmic surgery
  • Acute or chronic neurological problems
  • Musculoskeletal and/or neurological problems affecting movement and balance
  • Vestibular problem and/or use medicine
  • Uncontrolled cardiovascular disease, congestive heart failure, acute myocarditis, pulmonary hypertension, or using a pacemaker
  • Malignancy
  • Orthopedic or neurological surgery in the past 6 months

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
gait speedchange from baseline at 6 weeks

Gait speed was assessed by BTS G-Walk inertial sensor. The sensor, connected to the Lumbal 4-5 intervertebral space via a semi-elastic belt, transfers the spatiotemporal characteristics of the gait to the computer via Bluetooth® 3.0 (G-Studio® software). In our study, participants were asked to walk in a corridor of 8 meters.

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Spatiotemporal Characteristics of Gaitchange from baseline at 6 weeks

Spatiotemporal characteristics of gait was assessed by BTS G-Walk inertial sensor. The assessed characteristics were cadence, stride length, left and right step length, step length/height ratio, gait cycle time,stance phase %, swing phase%, double support %, single support %. The sensor, connected to the Lumbal 4-5 intervertebral space via a semi-elastic belt, transfers the spatiotemporal characteristics of the gait to the computer via Bluetooth® 3.0 (G-Studio® software). In our study, participants were asked to walk in a corridor of 8 meters.

New York Posture Scalechange from baseline at 6 weeks

New York Posture Scale was used to evaluate upright posture. It evaluates head, shoulders, spine, hip and foot alignment in the frontal plane. It evaluates head, thorax, shoulders, upper thoracic region, trunk, abdomen and lower lumbar region alignment in the sagittal plane. In total, 13 regions are evaluated. Each item on the scale gets 1, 3 or 5 points depending on the degree of deviation from the normal. High scores represent a good posture.

Berg Balance Scalechange from baseline at 6 weeks

Berg Balance Scale (BBS) was used to evaluate static balance ability.It is a widely used and validated scale for elderly people. Validity and reliability of BBS in Turkish was established by Sahin et al. The scale includes 14 functional activities such as transfers, turning, taking objects from the ground. Each activity scores between 0-4 and high scores indicate good balance ability.

Timed Up and Go Testchange from baseline at 6 weeks

Timed Up and Go Test (TUGT) was used to assessed dynamic balance ability. Participants were asked to stand up from the chair, walk 3 meters and go back and sit on the chair. Performance time recorded in seconds.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University

🇹🇷

Ankara, Turkey

Ankara Yıldırım Beyazıt University
🇹🇷Ankara, Turkey

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