To gauge the risk of falling, the researchers utilized a virtual reality (VR) device that simulated the act of walking down a hallway while participants walked on a treadmill. The researchers would then introduce the illusion of side-to-side “wobbles” in the simulation to make participants feel that they were falling, and measured how they responded to the illusion.
The theory behind the use of VR is that MS patients may be compensating for walking deficiencies by relying on their visual abilities. They may have the impression that their walking is normal, but these patients are still at risk for falls.
To measure the participants’ responses, the researchers used 3D motion capture cameras to look for any fluctuations in each step (gait variability), differences in overall motion (kinematics), and balance (margin of stability).
Results showed that the measurements taken for standard walking — before the wobbles were introduced — were similar between MS patients and healthy volunteers.
However, once participants experienced the falling simulation, there was a clear and statistically significant difference in how MS patients responded — they exhibited a higher variability in step width, position, and stability.
Furthermore, MS patients performed worse than healthy controls on the standing sensory organization test, which assesses a person’s ability to use visual cues and others to maintain postural stability.
See the full story here: https://multiplesclerosisnewstoday.com/news-posts/2020/03/17/virtual-reality-simulation-test-detects-subtle-balance-issues-walking-ability-falling-risk-study