Additional acute effects of virtual reality head-mounted displays on balance outcomes in non-disabled individuals: a proof-of-concept study

Eduardo de Moura Neto, Bruno Henrique de Souza Fonseca, Danilo Santos Rocha, Luciane Aparecida Pascucci Sande de Souza, Douglas Reis Abdalla, Dayane Aparecida Viana, Gustavo José Luvizutto
2022 Motriz: Revista de Educacao Fisica  
This study aims to evaluate the additional acute effect of virtual reality (VR) head-mounted displays (HMD) when associated with balance exercises in balance outcomes in non-disabled individuals. Methods: Thirty individuals were randomized into two groups: balance exercise group (GBE; n = 15); and virtual reality + balance exercise group (GVR + BE; n = 15). The individuals were evaluated by static and dynamic balance using the tandem test (TT), single-leg stance (SLS), and Fukuda stepping test
more » ... FST). Both groups performed 30 min of balance exercises. The GVR + BE performed 8 additional minutes of virtual reality prior to balance exercises. A roller coaster application was used for the HMD. The Mann-Whitney test was used for intra-group and differences of inter-group analysis, considering a significance level of p < 0.05. Results: In the GBE group analysis, there was observed an increase of time in TT with closed eyes (p = 0.025) and SLS with closed eyes (p = 0.003). In the same way, the GVR + BE group increase TT with closed eyes (p = 0.003) and SLS with closed eyes (p = 0.002) after the intervention. In the intergroup analysis, the increase in the SLS with closed eyes was superior in the GVR + BE group when compared with GBE (p = 0.006; d = 1.67). Conclusion: The use of HMD in combination with balance exercise has an acute effect on increasing static balance in non-disabled individuals.
doi:10.1590/s1980-657420220006721 fatcat:obbmctbd4nbqnhkxoqazcwbfva