Physiotherapy Programmes Aided by VR Solutions Applied to the Seniors Affected by Functional Capacity Impairment: Randomised Controlled Trial

Marek Zak, Tomasz Sikorski, Szymon Krupnik, Magdalena Wasik, Katarzyna Grzanka, Daniel Courteix, Frederic Dutheil and Waldemar Brola
Additional contact information
Marek Zak: Jan Kochanowski University, Institute of Health Sciences, Collegium Medicum, Zeromskiego 5, 25-369 Kielce, Poland
Tomasz Sikorski: Jan Kochanowski University, Doctoral School, Zeromskiego 5, 25-369 Kielce, Poland
Szymon Krupnik: Symmetry, Medical Rehabilitation Centre, 41-208 Sosnowiec, Poland
Magdalena Wasik: Jan Kochanowski University, Doctoral School, Zeromskiego 5, 25-369 Kielce, Poland
Katarzyna Grzanka: Jan Kochanowski University, Doctoral School, Zeromskiego 5, 25-369 Kielce, Poland
Daniel Courteix: Université Clermont Auvergne, Laboratory of the Metabolic Adaptations to Exercise under Physiological and Pathological Conditions (AME2P), 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
Frederic Dutheil: CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France
Waldemar Brola: Jan Kochanowski University, Institute of Health Sciences, Collegium Medicum, Zeromskiego 5, 25-369 Kielce, Poland

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 10, 1-18

Abstract: Modern technologies are presently harnessed in response to a complex challenge of providing physiotherapeutic management in older adults. Fully immersive virtual reality (VR) solutions are acknowledged to viably enhance the overall effectiveness of traditional physiotherapeutic methods. A total of 60 community-dwelling older adults (over 75 years of age) were recruited for the study protocol. They were subsequently randomly split into four equally sized study groups (VR, CVR, OCULUS, and the classic programme group (OTAGO), and the physiotherapy sessions were pursued in the subjects’ homes for 3 weeks, 3 times a week, for 30 min in each group. At the first measurement point, respective study groups differed significantly in functional performance, as expressed in gait (POMA G) and individual static balance. The post hoc analysis indicated significantly higher scores in POMA G for the classic programme group vs. the results of the VR and CVR groups. On the other hand, the OCULUS group held significantly higher scores in individual balance and TUG, as compared to the other groups ( p < 0.001). Making use of a virtual reality (VR) environment in the physiotherapeutic management of community-dwelling older adults appreciably enhanced individual functional performance, especially in terms of static balance. Physiotherapy management aided by VR technology solutions offers a viable alternative to traditional physiotherapeutic regimens (e.g., OTAGO programme) in enhancing individual functional performance. The innovatively self-designed VIRTUAL REALITY COMPREHENSIVE REHABILITATION ROOMS (VRCRR) solution may help out in pursuing a complex physiotherapy programme on an individual basis within one’s own home environment.

Keywords: virtual reality (VR) technology; telerehabilitation; exergaming; rehabilitation strategies; fall risk; elderly; seniors; OTAGO programme (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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