A Telerehabilitation Program Improves Postural Control in Multiple Sclerosis Patients: A Spanish Preliminary Study

Rosa Ortiz-Gutiérrez, Roberto Cano- de-la-Cuerda, Fernando Galán-del-Río, Isabel María Alguacil-Diego, Domingo Palacios-Ceña and Juan Carlos Miangolarra-Page
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Rosa Ortiz-Gutiérrez: Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Rey Juan Carlos University, Avda. Atenas s/n. Alcorcón 28922, Madrid, Spain
Roberto Cano- de-la-Cuerda: Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Rey Juan Carlos University, Avda. Atenas s/n. Alcorcón 28922, Madrid, Spain
Fernando Galán-del-Río: Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Rey Juan Carlos University, Avda. Atenas s/n. Alcorcón 28922, Madrid, Spain
Isabel María Alguacil-Diego: Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Rey Juan Carlos University, Avda. Atenas s/n. Alcorcón 28922, Madrid, Spain
Domingo Palacios-Ceña: Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Rey Juan Carlos University, Avda. Atenas s/n. Alcorcón 28922, Madrid, Spain
Juan Carlos Miangolarra-Page: Department of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Health Sciences, Rey Juan Carlos University, Avda. Atenas s/n. Alcorcón 28922, Madrid, Spain

IJERPH, 2013, vol. 10, issue 11, 1-14

Abstract: Postural control disorders are among the most frequent motor disorder symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis. This study aims to demonstrate the potential improvements in postural control among patients with multiple sclerosis who complete a telerehabilitation program that represents a feasible alternative to physical therapy for situations in which conventional treatment is not available. Fifty patients were recruited. Control group ( n = 25) received physiotherapy treatment twice a week (40 min per session). Experimental group ( n = 25) received monitored telerehabilitation treatment via videoconference using the Xbox 360 ® and Kinect console. Experimental group attended 40 sessions, four sessions per week (20 min per session).The treatment schedule lasted 10 weeks for both groups. A computerized dynamic posturography (Sensory Organization Test) was used to evaluate all patients at baseline and at the end of the treatment protocol. Results showed an improvement over general balance in both groups. Visual preference and the contribution of vestibular information yielded significant differences in the experimental group. Our results demonstrated that a telerehabilitation program based on a virtual reality system allows one to optimize the sensory information processing and integration systems necessary to maintain the balance and postural control of people with multiple sclerosis. We suggest that our virtual reality program enables anticipatory PC and response mechanisms and might serve as a successful therapeutic alternative in situations in which conventional therapy is not readily available.

Keywords: multiple sclerosis; postural control; telerehabilitation; video games (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2013
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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