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BMC Geriatrics
Published in: BMC Geriatrics 1/2021

Open Access 01-12-2021 | Care | Research

Effect of virtual reality exercises on balance and fall in elderly people with fall risk: a randomized controlled trial

Authors: Noorolla Zahedian-Nasab, Azita Jaberi, Fatemeh Shirazi, Somayyeh Kavousipor

Published in: BMC Geriatrics | Issue 1/2021

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Abstract

Background

Deficient balance and fear of falling in elderly people can lead to disturbed daily activities, falling, and finally reduced quality of life. Therefore, evaluation of low-risk methods that might partially improve balance in this group of people is of utmost importance. The present study aimed to investigate the impact of Virtual Reality (VR) exercises based on Xbox Kinect on balance and fear of falling among elderly people.

Methods

This clinical trial was performed on 60 elderly individuals living in nursing homes divided into two groups of control and Xbox. The participants in the intervention group received VR exercises based on Xbox Kinect in form of two 30–45-min sessions held on a weekly basis for 6 weeks. The individuals in the control group, on the other hand, received routine exercises of the nursing homes. The research tools used in this study included a demographic questionnaire, the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, and the Falling Efficacy Scale (FES).

Results

The findings of the current study demonstrated that the scores of BBS and TUG test as the indices of balance among elderly people improved significantly in the Xbox group after the intervention (p < 0.001 for both BBS and TUG test). Moreover, the score of fear of falling diminished significantly in the intervention group compared to the control group (p < 0.001).

Conclusion

According to the results of the present investigation, 6 weeks of VR balance exercises could enhance balance and fear of falling among elderly people living in nursing homes.

Trial registration

Code:IRCT201907270443​47N1, Date: 17-8-2019.
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Metadata
Title
Effect of virtual reality exercises on balance and fall in elderly people with fall risk: a randomized controlled trial
Authors
Noorolla Zahedian-Nasab
Azita Jaberi
Fatemeh Shirazi
Somayyeh Kavousipor
Publication date
01-12-2021
Publisher
BioMed Central
Keywords
Care
Anxiety
Published in
BMC Geriatrics / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1471-2318
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12877-021-02462-w

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