Shahrood University of technology , mmeadah698@yahoo.com
Abstract: (56 Views)
Abstract
Purpose: Balance and gait are considered critical factors for the health of older adults. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 8 weeks of virtual reality (VR)-based training on balance and gait in older women.
Methods: The statistical population of this study consisted of all elderly women with an average age of 75.5±3.39 and an average weight of 72.08±9.46 kg in Shahrood city. 30 people were selected conveniently and purposefully based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Then, they were randomly divided into two groups (15 people in the experimental group and 15 people in the control group). In the pre-test, the subjects' static balance was measured by the Sharpendramberg test, dynamic balance by the modified Star Balance test, functional balance by the Berg Functional Balance Scale test, and fall risk by the Dynamic Gait Index test. The subjects in the experimental group did virtual reality-based exercises for 8 weeks (3 sessions per week, each session lasting 30 to 45 minutes). Finally, all subjects were post-tested and the data obtained were used by paired t-tests for intragroup comparison and independent t-tests for comparing between-group changes at a significance level of p<0.05.
Results: The findings of the present study showed that 8 weeks of virtual reality-based training significantly increased static, dynamic, and functional balance (p=0.022), (p=0.0001), and (p=0.0001), respectively. Also, the dynamic gait index was significantly improved in this group (p=0.0001). The results of the independent t-test also showed that a significant difference was observed in the variables of static (p=0.001), dynamic (p=0.04), and functional (p=0.015) balance and dynamic gait index (p=0.0001) between the experimental and control groups.
Conclusions: The results of the present study showed that virtual reality-based exercises play a significant role in improving static and dynamic balance and reducing the risk of falls in the elderly. Therefore, it is suggested that this age group, by taking advantage of this effective training method, prevent balance disorders and subsequent adverse consequences that are inevitable with aging.
Purpose: Balance and gait are considered critical factors for the health of older adults. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of 8 weeks of virtual reality (VR)-based training on balance and gait in older women.
Methods: The statistical population of this study consisted of all elderly women with an average age of 75.5±3.39 and an average weight of 72.08±9.46 kg in Shahrood city. 30 people were selected conveniently and purposefully based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Then, they were randomly divided into two groups (15 people in the experimental group and 15 people in the control group). In the pre-test, the subjects' static balance was measured by the Sharpendramberg test, dynamic balance by the modified Star Balance test, functional balance by the Berg Functional Balance Scale test, and fall risk by the Dynamic Gait Index test. The subjects in the experimental group did virtual reality-based exercises for 8 weeks (3 sessions per week, each session lasting 30 to 45 minutes). Finally, all subjects were post-tested and the data obtained were used by paired t-tests for intragroup comparison and independent t-tests for comparing between-group changes at a significance level of p<0.05.
Results: The findings of the present study showed that 8 weeks of virtual reality-based training significantly increased static, dynamic, and functional balance (p=0.022), (p=0.0001), and (p=0.0001), respectively. Also, the dynamic gait index was significantly improved in this group (p=0.0001). The results of the independent t-test also showed that a significant difference was observed in the variables of static (p=0.001), dynamic (p=0.04), and functional (p=0.015) balance and dynamic gait index (p=0.0001) between the experimental and control groups.
Conclusions: The results of the present study showed that virtual reality-based exercises play a significant role in improving static and dynamic balance and reducing the risk of falls in the elderly. Therefore, it is suggested that this age group, by taking advantage of this effective training method, prevent balance disorders and subsequent adverse consequences that are inevitable with aging.
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