Virtual Gait System Intervention in Older People

The prevalence of gait and balance disorders increases by 10% between 60 and 69 years of age, reaching 60% in people over 80 years of age or 82% in people over 85 years of age. These disorders are also characteristic of populations with different neurological or musculoskeletal conditions. This supposes a profound psychological and socioeconomic impact on the affected person's life, in addition to the implicit physical impact.

After an injury (whether acquired or due to deterioration due to aging), there is a spontaneous functional recovery that can have different paths depending on the characteristics of the injury and the person. Previous studies have shown that the neuroplasticity of residual corticospinal fibers, motor cortex and spinal neurons plays an important role in the spontaneous functional recovery of people with neurological or musculoskeletal pathology, as well as in the reorganization of the spinal system. motor skills of the elderly. However, it is also possible to stimulate the neuroplasticity mechanisms of these structures through techniques aimed at rehabilitating different deficits (for example, motor function or sensitivity). In general, intervention programs aimed at improving neuroplasticity are usually carried out, in most cases, using low-cost strategies such as therapeutic physical exercise programs.

This nerve reorganization and recovery can also be influenced by the activity of mirror neurons, which are found in motor and premotor areas and also in other cortical and subcortical areas; and report activation when they observe an action with a specific purpose. The activity of these neurons has been studied in different populations with Central Nervous System (CNS) involvement, such as strokes, head injuries, Parkinson's or Alzheimer's. For its study, experimental investigations have been carried out applying different interventions that modify the activity of mirror neurons, such as mirror therapy, virtual reality therapies, Action-Observation therapies or visual illusion. In general, promising results have been obtained in all these populations, except in the case of advanced-stage Alzheimer's disease.

Visual illusion therapies have been used in different populations, such as spinal cord injury, with promising results. However, this type of therapy has not been studied in other populations with different neurological or musculoskeletal conditions, as well as in the elderly population.

The main objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of a virtual walking treatment (visual illusion) comparing it with interventions combined with specific physical exercise of walking in elderly people, on the functional capacity of this population.

Taking all of the above into account, the main objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of a virtual gait treatment (visual illusion) compared to interventions combined with specific physical gait exercise in people with disabilities or older people, on functional capacity of these populations. Specifically, it is intended to know the impact of virtual gait therapy on:

• The actual gait, both speed and resistance.
• Functionality in mobility activities and postural control.
• Isometric strength of lower extremities.
• Muscular tone, stiffness and elasticity of the leg muscles.
• Neuropathic pain and sensitivity.

Therefore, this study aims to provide knowledge to the scientific community on how the mechanisms of neuroplasticity and specifically mirror neurons can influence the rehabilitation of people with disabilities and the elderly and, in addition, to propose a specific treatment methodology for the rehabilitation of the march in this type of population.

The recruitment and execution of the interventions will be carried out in a room set up within the Faculty of Physiotherapy of the University of Valencia. All procedures will be carried out under the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki (World Medical Association) and will be approved by the ethics committee of the University of Valencia. In addition, all participants will be asked to sign an informed consent that will include all the sections required by this committee.

A minimum of 20 participants per group is established, establishing a power of 80%, an ability to detect a small effect size (Cohen's d = 0.3) for the main variable resistance measured with the 2min Walking Test and a probability of type error. I of 0.05, resulting in a total of 80 participants. In order to minimize possible losses, 25% more patients per group will be added, so 100 people will participate in the study.

The study will contemplate the realization of three measurements that will be carried out one day before starting the program, one day after finishing it, and 1 month later. These will be carried out by team members who are blind to the assignment of the interventions.

In the first evaluation, anthropometric and demographic data will be collected (i.e. height, weight, age, educational level, possible comorbidities, etc.) with the aim of controlling, if necessary, these confounding variables.

The data analysis will be carried out using the SPSS statistical program (version 26). The normality of the sample will be analyzed using the Shapiro Wilk test and homoscedasticity using the Levene test. For the comparison between groups, a mixed factorial ANOVA will be used, and for the comparison between pairs of groups the Bonferroni correction will be used. In the event that there may be a confounding factor that meets the requirements to be analyzed as a covariate, an ANCOVA will be used. Statistically significant differences will be assumed when the p-value is less than 0.05.

All interventions will last eight weeks and will be planned according to the availability of volunteers. In each session, it will be recorded if any type of adverse effect occurs.

There will be four types of interventions resulting of a combination of:

Visual Illusion (IV): the patient will be placed in a standing position (with a help system designed ad-hoc) in front of a mirror (from the waist up) and a screen (from the waist down) where a video of legs walking will be projected. a treadmill and overcoming obstacles.. This program will last 10 minutes.

Therapeutic exercise program (PE): Physical exercise program for the lower extremities will be carried out.