Objective: To verify the effect of a balance rehabilitation program with virtual reality (VR) in patients with SCA

Background: Spinocerebellar ataxias (SCAs) constitute a group of progressive neurodegenerative diseases with great phenotypic and genotypic heterogeneity.

Methods: A prospective observational study was performed. A total of 28 patients with SCA were evaluated, eight females and 20 males, aged between 15 and 70 years (average of 41.5 years old and standard deviation of 16.9 years old). The patients were submitted to an anamnesis, otorhinolaryngological and vestibular exams, as well as the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), Berg Balance Scale (BBE) and the SF-36 questionnaire, that were all applied before and after VR rehabilitation.

Results: a) Otoneurological complaints most mentioned in the anamnesis were: imbalance (85.7%), falling (28.5%), dizziness (17.8%), diplopia (10.7%) and tremors (7.1%); b) The scores of the DHI and BBE questionnaire were better after rehabilitation; c) The SF36 questionnaire showed a greater alteration in the aspects of functional capacity, pain and mental health, and d) There was an expressive improvement for patients in all the virtual tasks performed in the evaluation after rehabilitation.

Conclusions:

The importance of rehabilitation with VR is highlighted in patients with SCA due to the promoted benefits. There was improvement in the symptoms resulting from this disease, mainly in balance and gait. Thus, the frequency of falls decreased while the patients’ self-confidence increased, promoting physical and psychic recovery with direct improvement in their quality of life.

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MDS Abstracts - https://www.mdsabstracts.org/abstract/effect-of-virtual-reality-on-balance-rehabilitation/