Using virtual reality to help stroke patients improve their balance
Official title: Virtual Reality Technologies for Dynamic Balance Rehabilitation in People with Stroke
Funded at Kobuk Technologies LLC · NIH-10760428 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a fun virtual reality system that helps stroke patients improve their balance while walking on a treadmill, making rehab more engaging and effective to help them move better and feel safer.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Kobuk Technologies LLC NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Lake Geneva, United States) |
| Project start | September 14, 2023 |
| Project end | August 31, 2025 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $274,328 |
| NIH project number | 1R41HD113459-01 |
| Project ID | NIH-10760428 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals who have experienced a stroke and are undergoing rehabilitation for balance issues.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who have not had a stroke or those with severe cognitive impairments that prevent them from engaging with VR technology may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research focuses on developing an immersive virtual reality (VR) system that, when combined with treadmill training, helps stroke patients improve their dynamic balance. The project aims to create balance challenges within a VR environment that patients can interact with while walking on a treadmill. By quantifying how these VR elements can enhance rehabilitation, the study seeks to provide a more engaging and effective therapy option for individuals recovering from strokes. Ultimately, the goal is to reduce the risk of falls and improve mobility and quality of life for these patients.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly enhance rehabilitation outcomes for stroke patients by improving their balance and reducing fall risk.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has shown promise in using virtual reality for rehabilitation, indicating that this approach could be effective for improving balance in stroke patients.
Where this research is happening
-
Kobuk Technologies LLC
Lake Geneva, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Schmit, Brian D — Kobuk Technologies LLC
- Study coordinator: Schmit, Brian D
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
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Movement-Enhanced Walking Training to Improve Balance After Stroke
A specialized treadmill training using a cable-driven device, called Movement Amplification Environment (MAE), helps people with chronic stroke improve walking balance by enhancing their own movement awareness.
-
Visual recovery after stroke using focused ultrasound and immersive VR
A small, patient-friendly study tests whether a gentle, targeted ultrasound therapy plus immersive virtual reality can help people with field-of-view loss after stroke regain visual function.
-
Teleassessment of gait and balance after stroke to expand remote rehabilitation
A multi-site study tests simple remote gait and balance tests for stroke survivors to enable safer, easier rehabilitation from home.
-
Multisensory support to improve standing balance after stroke
This project uses extra sensory feedback to help people with long-term stroke improve their standing balance.
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How the brain helps people keep standing balance as we age or after a stroke
This project measures brain activity while young adults, older adults, and people who have had a stroke do balance tasks to learn how the brain helps keep you steady.
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STABLE: a balance-first gait program for people after stroke
A specialized treadmill training using a cable-driven robot to improve balance and walking for people after a stroke.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.