A Review on the Effectiveness of Virtual Reality -Based Lower Limb Rehabilitation in Stroke Survivors

Background: Virtual Reality (VR) has emerged as an innovative therapeutic tool in neurorehabilitation. By offering immersive, interactive, and engaging environments, VR enables repetitive, task-specific, and visually enriched motor training that promotes neuroplasticity. Stroke survivors frequently experience lower-limb impairments such as poor balance, gait disturbances, and reduced motor control, affecting independence and mobility. VR enhances motor relearning through real-time visual, sensory, and proprioceptive feedback, making it a promising approach for restoring lower-limb function. Need: There is a growing need to identify rehabilitation strategies that enhance motivation, sensory stimulation, and neuroplasticity. VR provides an engaging, feedback-rich environment that may optimize lower-limb recovery. Reviewing current evidence helps clarify its effectiveness and clinical importance. Objective: To review the effects of VR-based rehabilitation on balance, gait, mobility, and lower-limb motor recovery in post-stroke individuals and determine its potential as an effective independent intervention. Methodology: Relevant literature was reviewed using PubMed, Google Scholar, PEDro, ResearchGate, and ScienceDirect, focusing on VR-based lower-limb rehabilitation studies published between 2005–2024. Search was conducted using mesh terms virtual reality, stroke rehabilitation, lower-limb motor recovery, balance training, gait improvement, and VR neurorehabilitation. Results: A total of 15 articles was reviewed, with 5 excluded due to low quality or unrelated focus. Evidence shows that VR improves balance, gait performance, postural stability, and lower-limb motor activation. Studies reported gains in movement coordination, trunk control, step length, dynamic balance, gait adaptability, and overall motor function. VR enhances neuroplasticity through repetitive practice, enriched sensory input, and increased patient engagement. Conclusion: VR is an effective, motivating, and evidence-supported intervention for improving lower-limb motor function, balance, gait, and functional mobility in post-stroke individuals. It promotes neuroplasticity, enhances recovery, and may serve as a valuable therapeutic tool to support independence and stability in stroke survivors. Keywords: Virtual Reality, Stroke, Lower Limb Rehabilitation, Balance, Gait, Neuroplasticity.