Clinical Decision-Making and Virtual Reality Exercise

Optimizing Clinical Decision-Making and Virtual Reality Exercise Training in Degenerative Lumbar Spine Disease

Degenerative lumbar spine disease (DLSD) is common in elderly individuals and can result in pain, muscle weakness, and paresthesia. Numerous studies have reported that patients with DLSD usually have postural balance instability, which may affect the patient's gait, functional activities, and quality of life. The investigators propose to achieve the following aims: (1) to develop a clinical balance diagnostic tool to identify patients with DLSD who may require lumbar surgery (2) to investigate the effects of virtual reality skateboard exercise training on gait and balance in patients with DLSD, as well as to compare them with asymptomatic participants.

Inclusion Criteria:

• 1) able to stand and walk for 5 minutes independently
• 2) aged between 50 and 80 years
• 3) received a diagnosis of DLSD based on imaging

Exclusion Criteria:

• 1) previous lumbar surgery
• 2) neurological disorder such as stroke or spinal cord injury
• 3) metabolic disease such as diabetes mellitus
• 4) vestibular disease such as Meniere's disease.