Using virtual reality glasses to improve balance in stroke patients
VIrtual Reality Glasses Use to Improve Lateropulsion and the Post-stroke Postural Vertical (VIRGIL)
This study tests if using virtual reality glasses can help stroke patients improve their balance and body orientation by changing how they see verticality.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 40 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 80 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University Hospital, Grenoble Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Grenoble) |
| Trial ID | NCT04911738 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This study investigates the effects of immersion in a tilted virtual reality environment on the perception of verticality in post-stroke patients experiencing lateropulsion. By recalibrating their internal reference of verticality, the study aims to improve body orientation and balance. The trial includes both stroke patients and healthy participants to compare the effects of virtual reality on verticality perception. The researchers will measure changes in postural vertical and visual vertical perceptions to assess the intervention's effectiveness.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates include hospitalized stroke patients with hemisphere strokes occurring within the last six months and exhibiting lateropulsion.
Not a fit: Patients with a history of psychiatric disorders, severe trunk deformities, or significant comprehension deficits may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly enhance rehabilitation outcomes for stroke patients by improving their balance and reducing lateropulsion.
How similar studies have performed: While the use of virtual reality in rehabilitation is gaining traction, this specific approach targeting verticality perception in stroke patients is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * 20 stroke participants * Hospitalized in neurorehabilitation * Hemisphere stroke (Right or left) * Stroke delay \< 6 months * Presence of lateropulsion assessed by the Scale for Contraversive Pushing (SCP) \> 0.5 * 20 healthy participants * No history of stroke or others neurological pathologies * No balance disorders * No history of vestibular or dizzissness disorders Exclusion Criteria: * All * History of psychiatric disorders * Nyctophobia * Advanced heart failure * Severe trunk deformation with C7 lateral \> 30 mm due to a independant cause beyond the stroke (i.e., scoliosis) or history of postural disorder * 20 Stroke participants * Medical instability making the assessment impossible * Comprehension deficits with Boston Diagnostic Aphasia Examination gravity score ≥3 * History of vestibular or dizzissness disorders * No previous neurological history interfering with balance * Inability to understand and execute simple orders * Severe untreated depression (Aphasic Depression Rating Scale (ADRS) score \>15)
Where this trial is running
Grenoble
- University Hospital Grenoble — Grenoble, France (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Dominic Pérennou — University Hospital, Grenoble
- Study coordinator: Dominic Pérennou
- Email: DPerennou@chu-grenoble.fr
- Phone: +33 476766084
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.