Samenvatting

The introduction of consumer-grade virtual reality (VR) headsets has led to new and engaging methods for physical rehabilitation. Not only does VR provide the means to bring everyday situations into the rehabilitation therapy, and thereby help their transition into rehabilitation throughout everyday life after therapy, it also allows patients to practise independent from time and place. An important element in rehabilitation therapy is improving balance and gait hence VR has been studied for balance and gait rehabilitation with children with cerebral palsy, people with multiple sclerosis, stroke patients, and the elderly. According to Desiderio CP et al. VR “has the potential to improve balance and gait” but also “brings additional benefits when combined with conventional rehabilitation”. However, to what extent virtual reality influences balance or gait is hardly ever addressed and the focus of this study.