An exploratory study on virtual reality technology for fall prevention in older adults with mild cognitive impairment

INTRODUCTION: Virtual Reality (VR) training has potential evidence for reducing the risks of falls of older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). There are indications of a positive training effect of a cognitive-motor intervention method to improve the postural balance and cognition for safer walking. This study aimed to evaluate the training effects of VR training for reducing the risks of falls among older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

METHODS: An experimental design was employed to evaluate how the participants attended a full-immersive VR Cave Automatic Virtual Environment (CAVE) training program. Fifty-five participants were randomly assigned to the VR group or the control group. The VR group received 16 training sessions over 8-10 weeks, while the control group received a non-VR falls prevention program. The primary outcome assessed any falls after the study, and the secondary outcomes assessed changes in cognition and executive function, walk speed and balance performances, and the psychological factor such as fear of falling relating to the risk factors of fall.

RESULTS: The VR group showed significantly greater improvement than the control group in terms of measures of cognitive-motor performance across group and time interaction. However, there were inconsistent results in functional mobility and fall efficacy between the two groups.

CONCLUSION: This study provides promising evidence on the VR CAVE training for reducing the risks of falls among older adults with MCI from Hong Kong. VR technology-based applications are an emerging area in current aged care and rehabilitation services.