The efficacy of virtual reality assisted versus traditional rehabilitation intervention on individuals with functional ankle instability: a pilot randomized controlled trial

Purpose: Virtual reality (VR) training, a virtual environment commonly generated by computer systems, may enhance the therapeutic efficacy of functional rehabilitation programmes. The aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a VR assisted intervention (VRAI) versus traditional rehabilitation intervention (TRI) on functional ankle instability (FAI).

Methods: A single-blind randomized controlled study was conducted with 10 subjects for each group. The VRAI was conducted with the Nintendo Wii Fit Plus, whilst the TRI was conducted with a series of exercises with theraband. The muscle strength change of the two groups and the difference between pre and post interventions for each group were compared.

Results: The VRAI group had less improvement in the muscle strength of all ankle motions than did the TRI group (p > .05). The VRAI group had a greater improvement in muscle strength of plantar flexion than other motions, whilst the TRI group had an improvement in muscle strength of all ankle motions (p < .05).

Conclusions: The effects of VR training for the condition of FAI were not comparable to conventional training. However, VR training may be added to the conventional training programme as an optional for the condition of FAI.

• Implications for Rehabilitation

• Functional ankle instability (FAI) is subjective feelings of ankle instability resulting from proprioceptive and neuromuscular deficits in which individuals may experience “giving way” condition of the ankle.

• Therapeutic applications of virtual reality (VR) may be comparable to traditional rehabilitation interventions (TRI) in the rehabilitation of individuals with FAI. However, there is no definitive evidence for the issue.

• Integrating low-cost VR into functional rehabilitation programme can provide insight into an issue of whether it can be replaced with traditional therapeutic approaches.

• Although, the efficacy of VR application on strengthening muscles is unable to compare to traditional strengthening programmes, it may be considered an optional treatment based on the proprioceptive improvements.