BACKGROUND: Balance and postural control (PC) disorders are frequent motor disorder symptoms associated with multiple sclerosis (MS). OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate the potential improvements in balance and PC among patients with MS who complete a virtual reality telerehabilitation program that represents a feasible alternative to physical therapy for situations in which conventional treatment is not available. METHODS: 50 patients was recruited. Control group (n = 25) received physiotherapy treatment twice a week (40 min per session). Experimental group (n = 25) received telerehabilitation treatment using the Xbox 360 ® console monitored via videoconference. Experimental group attended 40 sessions, four sessions per week (20 min per session). The treatment schedule lasted 10 weeks for both groups. A computerised dynamic posturography and clinical outcomes (Berg Balance and Tinettti scales) were used at baseline and at the end of the treatment. RESULTS: Results showed an improvement over general balance in both groups. Visual preference, the contribution of vestibular information, mean response time and Tinetti test yielded significant differences in the experimental group. An ANOVA revealed significant between-group post-treatment differences in the composite equilibrium score, Berg and Tinetti scales in the experimental group. CONCLUSION: We suggest that our virtual reality program enables anticipatory PC and response mechanisms and might serve as a successful therapeutic alternative in situations in which conventional therapy is not readily available.

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Introduction: The limitations in performing functional activities in children and adolescents with cerebral palsy are important. The use of virtual reality systems is a new treatment approach that reinforces task-oriented motor learning. The purpose of this guide is to study the impact of the use of virtual reality systems in the improvement and acquisition of functional skills, and to evaluate the scientific evidence to determine the strength of recommendation of such interventions.Development: All available full-text articles, regardless of their methodology, were included.The following databases were consulted: PubMed (Medline), PEDro, EMBASE (OVID-Elsevier), Cochrane Library, Medline (OVID), CINAHL, ISI Web Knowledge. An assessment was made of methodological quality, the level of scientific evidence, and the strength of recommendations using the tools: Critical Review Form for Quantitative Studies and the Guidelines for Critical Review Form for Quantitative Studies and U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Finally, we included 13 articles and 97 participants were recruited. We obtained significant improvements in outcome measures that assessed postural control and balance, upper limb function, the selective joint control, and gait. Conclusions:The guide has some limitations: the limited number of patients enrolled, clinical diversity and age range, as well as the methodological quality of existing trials. Virtual reality is a promising tool in the treatment of children with cerebral palsy. There is strong scientific evidence of an acceptable recommendation for the use of virtual reality systems in the treatment of cerebral palsy.Empleo de sistemas de realidad virtual como método de propiocepción en parálisis cerebral: guía de práctica clínica Resumen Introducción: Las limitaciones para realizar actividades funcionales en niños y adolescentes con parálisis cerebral son importantes. El empleo de sistemas de realidad virtual constituye un nuevo enfoque de tratamiento que refuerza el aprendizaje motor orientado a tareas. El objetivo del presente trabajo consiste en analizar qué repercusión tiene el empleo de sistemas de realidad virtual en la mejora y adquisición de habilidades funcionales; y evaluar la evidencia científica existente para determinar qué fuerza de recomendación tienen dichas intervenciones.Desarrollo: Se incluyeron todos los artículos disponibles a texto completo independientemente de su metodología. Se consultaron las siguientes bases de datos: Pubmed (Medline), PEDro, Embase (OVID-Elsevier), Cochrane Library Plus, Medline (OVID), CINHAL, ISI web Knowledge. Se evaluaron la calidad metodológica, el nivel de evidencia científica y la fuerza de las recomendaciones con las herramientas: Critical Review Form-Quantitative Studies and the Guidelines for Critical Review Form-Quantitative Studies y U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Finalmente, se incluyeron 13 artículos y se reclutó a 97 participantes. Se obtuvieron mejoras significativas en medidas de resultado que evalúan el control postural y el equi...