Effects of interventions on normalizing step width during self-paced dual-belt treadmill walking with virtual reality, a randomised controlled trial
PubDate: Otc 2017
Teams: University Medical Center Groningen
Writers: I.L.B.Oude Lansinka；L.van Kouwenhove；P.U.Dijkstra；K.Postema；J.M.Hijmans
Abstract
Background
Step width is increased during dual-belt treadmill walking, in self-paced mode with virtual reality. Generally a familiarization period is thought to be necessary to normalize step width.
Aim
The aim of this randomised study was to analyze the effects of two interventions on step width, to reduce the familiarization period.
Methods
We used the GRAIL (Gait Real-time Analysis Interactive Lab), a dual-belt treadmill with virtual reality in the self-paced mode. Thirty healthy young adults were randomly allocated to three groups and asked to walk at their preferred speed for 5 min. In the first session, the control-group received no intervention, the ‘walk-on-the-line’-group was instructed to walk on a line, projected on the between-belt gap of the treadmill and the feedback-group received feedback about their current step width and were asked to reduce it. Interventions started after 1 min and lasted 1 min. During the second session, 7–10 days later, no interventions were given.
Findings
Linear mixed modeling showed that interventions did not have an effect on step width after the intervention period in session 1. Initial step width (second 30 s) of session 1 was larger than initial step width of session 2. Step width normalized after 2 min and variation in step width stabilized after 1 min.
Interpretation
Interventions do not reduce step width after intervention period. A 2-min familiarization period is sufficient to normalize and stabilize step width, in healthy young adults, regardless of interventions. A standardized intervention to normalize step width is not necessary.
