Research progress of virtual walking intervention in rehabilitation training for individuals with lower limb disabilities

doi:10.3761/j.issn.0254-1769.2026.12.016

Abstract

Abstract:

The population of individuals with lower limb disabilities is extensive，yet the rehabilitation process remains characterized by long recovery cycles and monotonous training，leading to significant challenges such as poor patient compliance and a lack of personalized protocols. Virtual walking intervention has emerged as an innovative rehabilitation modality，utilizing virtual reality or augmented reality to simulate authentic gait，thereby providing patients with a safe，controllable，and highly interactive training environment. This article systematically reviews the developmental history of this technology，focusing on the origins of virtual walking intervention and its current application in the rehabilitation of disabled patients. It identifies the challenges faced in current research，aiming to provide a reference for the clinical application of this technology in the rehabilitation training of lower limb disabled patients.

Key words: Virtual Walking Intervention, Disability, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Review, Nursing Care

摘要：

下肢残疾患者数量庞大，康复周期漫长且训练过程枯燥，传统康复模式存在患者依从性低、个性化不足等挑战。虚拟步行干预作为一种创新的康复手段，通过虚拟现实或增强现实技术模拟真实步行，为患者提供安全、可控且高度交互的训练环境。该文系统梳理了该技术的发展历程，围绕虚拟步行干预的起源及其在残疾患者康复中的应用现状展开综述，指出当前研究面临的困境，旨在为该技术在下肢残疾患者康复训练中的临床应用提供参考。

关键词: 虚拟步行干预, 残疾, 虚拟现实, 增强现实, 综述, 护理

GAO Yi, XU Yihong, ZHANG Xiaojie, WU Weili, HE Ying, YANG Zhichao, WANG Jianan, PANG Rui, LI Haofen, PAN Hongying. Research progress of virtual walking intervention in rehabilitation training for individuals with lower limb disabilities[J]. Chinese Journal of Nursing, 2026, 61(12): 1704-1709.

高艺, 徐亦虹, 张晓洁, 吴卫利, 何英, 杨志超, 王佳楠, 庞睿, 李浩芬, 潘红英. 虚拟步行干预在下肢肢体残疾患者康复训练中的应用进展[J]. 中华护理杂志, 2026, 61(12): 1704-1709.

References 36

[1]	国务院. 国务院关于印发“十四五”残疾人保障和发展规划的通知[J]. 中国康复理论与实践, 2021, 27(8):869-880.
	The State Council. Notice of the State Council on printing and distributing the 14th Five-Year Plan for the protection and development of persons with disabilities[J]. Chin J Rehabil Theory Pract, 2021, 27(8):869-880.
[2]	Svestková O. International classification of functioning,disability and health of World Health Organization(ICF)[J]. Prague Med Rep, 2008, 109(4):268-274. PMID
[3]	Zhou JY, Xu YH, Yang D, et al. Risk prediction models for disa-bility in older adults:a systematic review and critical apprai-sal[J]. BMC Geriatr, 2024, 24(1):806. DOI
[4]	国家质量监督检验检疫总局, 中国国家标准化管理委员会, 残疾人残疾分类和分级:GB/T 26341—2010[S]. 北京: 中国标准出版社, 2011.
	General Administration of Quality Supervision,Inspection and Quarantine of the People’s Republic of China; Standardization Administration of the People’s Republic of China. Classification and grading criteria of disability:GB/T 26341—2010[S]. Beijing: Standards Press of China, 2011.
[5]	国务院. 残疾预防和残疾人康复条例[EB/OL].(2017-02-27)[2025-11-23]. https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/content/2017-02/27/content_5171308.htm.
	The State Council. Regulations on disability prevention and rehabilitation of persons with disabilities[EB/OL].(2017-02-27)[2025-11-23]. https://www.gov.cn/zhengce/content/2017-02/27/con-tent_5171308.htm.
[6]	Loureiro M, Elias A, Machado F, et al. Analysis of gait kine-matics in smart walker-assisted locomotion in immersive virtual reality scenario[J]. Sensors(Basel), 2024, 24(17):5534.
[7]	杨宏伟, 王娟, 吉辉, 等. 虚拟现实技术对脑卒中患者肢体康复干预效果的系统评价再评价[J]. 中华护理杂志, 2025, 60(17):2150-2157. DOI
	Yang HW, Wang J, Ji H, et al. Virtual reality for post-stroke limb rehabilitation:an overview of systematic reviews[J]. Chin J Nurs, 2025, 60(17):2150-2157.
[8]	Mollà-Casanova S, Muñoz-Gómez E, Aguilar-Rodríguez M, et al. Effectiveness of virtual-walking intervention combined with exercise on improving pain and function in incomplete spinal cord injury:a feasibility study[J]. Spinal Cord Ser Cases, 2024, 10(1):64. DOI PMID
[9]	Soler D, Moriña D, Kumru H, et al. Transcranial direct current stimulation and visual illusion effect according to sensory phenotypes in patients with spinal cord injury and neuropathic pain[J]. J Pain, 2021, 22(1):86-96. DOI URL
[10]	Moseley LG. Using visual illusion to reduce at-level neuropa-thic pain in paraplegia[J]. Pain, 2007, 130(3):294-298. DOI URL
[11]	Soler MD, Kumru H, Pelayo R, et al. Effectiveness of transcra-nial direct current stimulation and visual illusion on neuro-pathic pain in spinal cord injury[J]. Brain, 2010, 133(9):2565-2577. DOI URL
[12]	López-Carballo J, Rodríguez N, Soler D, et al. Gestural interac-tion and visual illusion for lower limbs’ neuropathic pain treatment[J]. IEEE Trans Neural Syst Rehabil Eng, 2018, 26(11):2217-2225. DOI URL
[13]	Austin PD, Craig A, Middleton JW, et al. The short-term effects of head-mounted virtual-reality on neuropathic pain intensity in people with spinal cord injury pain:a randomised cross-over pilot study[J]. Spinal Cord, 2021, 59(7):738-746. DOI
[14]	Scalise M, Bora TS, Zancanella C, et al. Virtual reality as a therapeutic tool in spinal cord injury rehabilitation:a compre-hensive evaluation and systematic review[J]. J Clin Med, 2024, 13(18):5429. DOI URL
[15]	Canning CG, Allen NE, Nackaerts E, et al. Virtual reality in research and rehabilitation of gait and balance in Parkinson disease[J]. Nat Rev Neurol, 2020, 16(8):409-425. DOI PMID
[16]	Barton GJ, De Asha AR, van Loon ECP, et al. Manipulation of visual biofeedback during gait with a time delayed adaptive virtual mirror box[J]. J Neuroeng Rehabil, 2014, 11:101. DOI PMID
[17]	李琼英, 李思敏, 曾敬茹, 等. 虚拟现实结合悬吊减重步态训练对截肢患者幻肢痛及下肢动力学表现的影响[J]. 实用临床医药杂志, 2025, 29(9):65-69,74.
	Li QY, Li SM, Zeng JR, et al. Effect of virtual reality com-bined with body weight-supported treadmill training on phan-tom limb pain and lower limb dynamics in amputees[J]. J Clin Med Pract, 2025, 29(9):65-69,74.
[18]	Sebastián-Romagosa M, Cho W, Ortner R, et al. Toward brain-computer interface motor rehabilitation for people with mul-tiple sclerosis[J]. Front Med, 2026, 12:1661972. DOI URL
[19]	Eick J, Richardson EJ. Cortical activation during visual illu-sory walking in persons with spinal cord injury:a pilot study[J]. Arch Phys Med Rehabil, 2015, 96(4):750-753. DOI URL
[20]	Steckel BM, Schwertner R, Bücker J, et al. Immersive virtual reality applied to the rehabilitation of patients with lower limb amputation:a small randomized controlled trial for feasibility study[J]. Virtual Real, 2024, 28(2):115. DOI
[21]	Trost Z, Anam M, Seward J, et al. Immersive interactive virtual walking reduces neuropathic pain in spinal cord injury:findings from a preliminary investigation of feasibility and clinical efficacy[J]. Pain, 2022, 163(2):350-361. DOI URL
[22]	Sabalette P, Dubé N, Ménard P, et al. Immediate effect of alone and combined virtual reality,gait-like muscle vibration and transcranial direct current stimulation on neuropathic pain after spinal cord injury:a pilot study[J]. Spinal Cord Ser Cases, 2024, 10(1):83. DOI PMID
[23]	Yildirim Şahan T, Erbahçeci F. Effects of virtual reality on transtibial amputation rehabilitation outcomes:a randomized study[J]. Games Health J, 2023, 12(6):459-467. DOI PMID
[24]	Mikolajczyk T, Ciobanu I, Badea DI, et al. Advanced techno-logy for gait rehabilitation:an overview[J]. Adv Mech Eng, 2018, 10(7):1687814018783627.
[25]	施杰洪, 王宁华. 机器人技术在康复医学领域的应用现状与进展[J]. 机器人外科学杂志(中英文), 2024, 5(6):1154-1166.
	Shi JH, Wang NH. Current status and progress of robotic technology in rehabilitation medicine[J]. Chin J Robotic Surg, 2024, 5(6):1154-1166.
[26]	高占江, 王向东, 郭梦茹, 等. 脑机接口在脑卒中患者偏瘫治疗中的研究进展[J]. 中国临床神经外科杂志, 2025, 30(12):743-746.
	Gao ZJ, Wang XD, Guo MR, et al. Research progress on brain-computer interfaces in the treatment of hemiplegia after stroke[J]. Chin J Clin Neurosurg, 2025, 30(12):743-746.
[27]	张霖, 郑雅兴, 熊桃, 等. 非侵入式脑机接口技术在脑卒中患者上肢功能康复中应用的范围综述及护理启示[J]. 中华护理杂志, 2025, 60(13):1658-1664. DOI
	Zhang L, Zheng YX, Xiong T, et al. A scoping review of application of non-invasive brain computer interface techno-logy in upper limb functional rehabilitation of stroke patients and nursing implications[J]. Chin J Nurs, 2025, 60(13):1658-1664.
[28]	Nicolelis MAL, Alho EJL, Donati ARC, et al. Training with noninvasive brain-machine interface,tactile feedback,and lo-comotion to enhance neurological recovery in individuals with complete paraplegia:a randomized pilot study[J]. Sci Rep, 2022, 12(1):20545. DOI PMID
[29]	Sebastián-Romagosa M, Cho W, Ortner R, et al. Brain-computer interface treatment for gait rehabilitation in stroke patients[J]. Front Neurosci, 2023, 17:1256077. DOI URL
[30]	Winter C, Kern F, Gall D, et al. Immersive virtual reality dur-ing gait rehabilitation increases walking speed and motiva-tion:a usability evaluation with healthy participants and patients with multiple sclerosis and stroke[J]. J Neuroeng Re-habil, 2021, 18(1):68.
[31]	Cortés-Pérez I, Nieto-Escamez FA, Obrero-Gaitán E. Immersive virtual reality in stroke patients as a new approach for reducing postural disabilities and falls risk:a case series[J]. Brain Sci, 2020, 10(5):296. DOI URL
[32]	周倩娅, 杨丹, 丁珊妮, 等. 糖尿病足截肢患者伤残接受度的研究进展[J]. 中华护理杂志, 2023, 58(24):2984-2989. DOI
	Zhou QY, Yang D, Ding SN, et al. Research progress in acceptance of disability of diabetic foot amputees[J]. Chin J Nurs, 2023, 58(24):2984-2989. DOI
[33]	Herrador Colmenero L, Perez Marmol JM, Martí-García C, et al. Effectiveness of mirror therapy,motor imagery,and virtual feedback on phantom limb pain following amputation:a syste-matic review[J]. Prosthet Orthot Int, 2018, 42(3):288-298. DOI PMID
[34]	Zhou JY, Ding SN, Xu YH, et al. Effects of digital intelligent interventions on self-management of patients with diabetic foot:systematic review[J]. J Med Internet Res, 2025, 27:e64400. DOI URL
[35]	Li X, Luh DB, Xu RH, et al. Considering the consequences of cybersickness in immersive virtual reality rehabilitation:a sys-tematic review and meta-analysis[J]. Appl Sci, 2023, 13(8):5159. DOI URL
[36]	董蕾, 刘佳, 赵琴, 等. 脑卒中患者虚拟现实康复体验质性研究的Meta整合[J]. 中华护理杂志, 2024, 59(9):1130-1137.
	Dong L, Liu J, Zhao Q, et al. Experience of virtual reality rehabilitation of stroke patients:a Meta-synthesis of qualita-tive study[J]. Chin J Nurs, 2024, 59(9):1130-1137.