[Purpose] The purpose of this study is to explore the effect of a VR exercise program on
falls and depression in the elderly with mild depression who reside in the local
community. [Subjects and Methods] This study was performed by targeting 15 elderly
subjects with mild depression who resided in the local community. The targeted subjects
voluntarily selected 3 VR exercise programs (each lasting 10 minutes) among 4 activities,
and a resting time of 5 minutes was given for an interval after each activity. The VR
exercise program was performed for total 12 weeks (36 times), 3 times a week, 45 minutes
per session. [Results] After exercise, scores of static balance test (anteroposterior),
Falls Efficacy Scale, and the Activities-specific Balance Confidence Scale in the test
subjects were improved and depression and internal stress scores were significantly
decreased after the intervention. [Conclusion] It can be concluded that the VR exercise
program exerts a positive effect not only on the physical factor but also on the mental
factor of the elderly subjects with mild depression who reside in the local community. It
is expected that based on the VR exercise program, diversified home programs for the
elderly should be developed in the future.
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