Effects of virtual reality-augmented balance training on sensory organization and attentional demand for postural control in people with Parkinson disease: a randomized controlled trial. Physical therapy 2011; 91

Background. There is a lack of studies related to virtual reality (VR)–augmented balance training on postural control in people with Parkinson disease (PD). Objective. The purposes of this study were: (1) to examine the effects of VR-augmented balance training on the sensory integration of postural control under varying attentional demands and (2) to compare the results with those of a conven-tional balance training (CB) group and an untrained control group. Design. A longitudinal, randomized controlled trial was used. Setting. The intervention was conducted in the clinic, and the assessment was performed in a research laboratory. Patients. Forty-two people with PD (Hoehn and Yahr stages II–III) were recruited. Intervention. The VR and CB groups received a 6-week balance training program. Measurements. The sensory organization tests (SOTs) of computerized postu-rography with single- and dual-task conditions were conducted prior to training, after training, and at follow-up. Equilibrium scores, sensory ratios, and verbal reaction times (VRTs) were recorded