Effects of stroboscopic visual training on balance and gait in subjects with incomplete spinal cord injury. A randomized pilot study.

Purpose: Walking is considered the most important goal after an incomplete spinal cord injury (SCI). Only recently it has been demonstrated that balance is a key factor of walking recovery, but no data on the efficacy of balance training in supporting walking function in SCI subjects are available. Previous studies have shown that postural stability and walking capability can enhance by means of a balance training with additional visual feedback in individuals with iSCI. At the same time, recently, advanced technology conceived special eyewear with liquid-crystal technology in the lenses to produce intermittent vision obstruction. This special eyewear named stroboscopic eyeglasses allow individuals to perform dynamic, functional tasks that, otherwise, could be not performed under a complete visual obstruction. The purpose of this study was to assess the effect stroboscopic glasses integrated to a period of home-based balance training in influencing balance and gait in individuals with iSCI. Methods: The pilot study enrolled 10 patients (7 men and 3 women) with chronic iSCI. Subjects underwent a 6-week home individual balance training program, 3 times per week. Subjects were randomly assigned to an experimental group (n = 5) that performed stroboscopic visual training (SVT) with active stroboscopic glasses and a placebo control group (n = 5) that attended the identical program with non-activated glasses. Before and after the training subjects were evaluated regarding the gait and balance capabilities using the Timed Up and Go test, and the 6 Minute Walking Test. In addition, balance and gait confidences were also evaluated by means of the Activities-specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale and the Visual Analogue Scales (VAS). Balance and gait performances were also tested on six normal subjects who were enrolled as healthy control group. Results: Physical activities and in specifical home based balance training and intervention of stroboscopic glasses in specific stroboscopic visual training (SVT) appears to modulate the motor capacity in subjects with iSCI. Conclusions: Preliminary results of this pilot study encourage further research to investigate the effect of the stroboscopic intervention to improve and balance and gait performance in subjects with chronic iSCI.