The purpose of this study was to investigate the possibility of virtual moving surround (VMS) on static balance in the patients with balance dysfunction. Eighty three subjects who were admitted or treated as an outpatient, or a family member, at the department of rehabilitation unit of university hospital were recruited to participate. Subjects were three groups based on their overall medical status: healthy, diabetic neuropathy and stroke. Each group was tested for static balance with a forceplate during static standing with VMS. The virtual movement was simulated with a head mounted display. The parameters for static balance were total sway path. In this study, the parameters of postural control for patients with diabetic neuropathy and stroke subjects were significantly increased in conditions elicited with the VMS. In the healthy elderly participants, the total sway path was not significantly different under virtual movement conditions. Therefore, VMS could be used in the evaluation and treatment of the patients with balance dysfunction.

• Young-keun Woo(Samsung Medical Center & Center for Clinical Medicine)
• Ji-hye Hwang(Dept. of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine) Corresponding author
• Yun-hee Kim(Dept. of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine)
• Peter KW Lee(Dept. of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine)
• Nam-gyun Kim(Bioengineering Research Center for the Aged, Chonbuk National University)