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

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.

Telerehabilitation in Physiotherapy Science: A Scoping Review

“…The 20 studies that were included were about diseases related to the musculoskeletal system (five) [ 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 ], the nervous system (six) [ 20 , 21 , 22 , 21 , 24 , 25 , 26 ], the proprioception-balance system (two) [ 27 , 28 ], the respiratory system (one) [ 29 ], the cardiovascular system (one) [ 30 ], the pelvic floor control (two) [ 31 , 32 ], and the autoimmune diseases (three) [ 33 , 34 , 35 ].…”

“…Out of six studies, two were about patients with multiple sclerosis [ 21 , 22 ], and two were about Parkinson's disease [ 23 , 24 ], while the remaining two articles referred to functional impairments due to old age and chronic stroke [ 25 , 26 ]. The studies [ 21 , 23 , 25 , 26 ] have used virtual reality (VR) devices for the IG.…”

“…Out of six studies, two were about patients with multiple sclerosis [ 21 , 22 ], and two were about Parkinson's disease [ 23 , 24 ], while the remaining two articles referred to functional impairments due to old age and chronic stroke [ 25 , 26 ]. The studies [ 21 , 23 , 25 , 26 ] have used virtual reality (VR) devices for the IG. In the study [ 21 ], IG improved significantly in the Symbol Digit Modalities Test (SDMT), a commonly used test to assess psychomotor speed, compared to the CG.…”

Research on the Factors Affecting the Adoption of Smart Aged-Care Products by the Aged in China: Extension Based on UTAUT Model

“…[ 17 ], which concerns the application of smart material sensors and soft electronics in wearable healthcare devices, and Ref. [ 18 ], which concerns physiotherapy programs aided by virtual reality (VR) solutions; and service platforms and service modes, such as Ref. [ 19 ] on the improvement of countermeasures incorporated into digital health service platforms based on empirical research, and Ref.…”

Validation of FES-I and Short FES-I Scales in the Polish Setting as the Research Tools of Choice to Identify the Fear of Falling in Older Adults

“…Incidence of falls and locomotion disorders, dementia syndromes, depression, visual and hearing impairments, incontinence, multi-medication and multi-disease, and geriatric iatrogenic syndrome make up the so-called Geriatric Giants [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 10 ]. Older adults suffer from chronic, complex disorders which may consequently deteriorate into disability, whilst at the same time being instrumental in overall loss of self-reliance, appreciably reduced scope in the activities of daily living, and a diminished overall quality of life [ 7 , 11 , 12 , 13 ].…”