Comparison of the effects of virtual reality-based balance exercises and conventional exercises on balance and fall risk in older adults living in nursing homes in Turkey

ABSTRACT

Objectives: There is limited information on effective balance training techniques including virtual reality (VR)-based balance exercises in residential settings and no studies have been designed to compare the effects of VR-based balance exercises with conventional balance exercises in older adults living in nursing homes in Turkey. The objective of our study was to investigate the effects of VR-based balance exercises on balance and fall risk in comparison to conventional balance exercises in older adults living in nursing homes. Methods: A total sample of 18 subjects (65–82 years of age) with fall history who were randomly assigned to either the VR group (Group 1, n = 7) or the conventional exercise group (Group 2, n = 11) completed the exercise training. Results: In both groups, Berg balance score (BBS), timed up & go duration, and left leg stance and tandem stance duration with eyes closed significantly improved with time (p < 0.05), but changes were similar in both groups (p > 0.05) after training, indicating that neither the exercise method was superior. Conclusion: Similar improvements were found in balance and fall risk with VR-based balance training and conventional balance training in older adults living in the nursing home. Both exercise trainings can be preferable by health care professionals considering fall prevention. Appropriate patient selection is essential.

KEYWORDS:

• Balance
• exercise training
• older adults
• physical therapy
• virtual reality

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank Inan Keleş ER, PT, Nil TEKIN, MD, from Republic of Turkey Ministry of Family and Social Policy Narlıdere Nursing Home Elderly Care and Rehabilitation Center, and Nursen ILCIN, PT, PhD, from the School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Dokuz Eylul University, for their support on coordination of the participants.

Funding

This research was supported by Department of Scientific Research Projects, Dokuz Eylul University (Project number: 2010.KB.SAG.015).

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the article.

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by Department of Scientific Research Projects, Dokuz Eylul University (Project number: 2010.KB.SAG.015).