Unsupervised Virtual Reality-Based Exercise Program Improves Hip Muscle Strength and Balance Control in Older Adults: A Pilot Study

• Published in: Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation Vol. 94; no. 5; pp. 937 - 943
• Main Authors: Kim, Jungjin, Son, Jaebum, Ko, Nayeon, Yoon, BumChul
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.05.2013
• Subjects: Aged; Exercise; Exercise Therapy - methods; Female; Frail elderly; Hip; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Muscle Strength; Muscle Strength Dynamometer; Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation; Pilot Projects; Postural Balance; Rehabilitation; Statistics, Nonparametric; Video Games; Virtual reality exposure therapy; Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy - methods; Virtual reality exposure therapy; MVIF; Frail elderly; Muscle strength; Rehabilitation; VR; Hip; virtual reality; maximal voluntary isometric force
• ISSN: 0003-9993; 1532-821X; 1532-821X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apmr.2012.12.010

To assess the effects of an unsupervised virtual reality (VR)-based exercise program on hip muscle strength and balance control in older adults. Controlled cohort repeated-measures experimental design, a pilot study. University research laboratory. Ambulatory older adults (N=32) from a local community. The VR group (n=18; mean ± SD, 68.28±3.74y; 4 men) completed the VR-based exercise program, whereas the remaining subjects in the control group (n=14; mean ± SD, 66.21±3.87y, 1 man) were asked to continue their daily routine for 8 weeks. Hip muscle strength was measured using a multimodal dynamometer, and ground reaction force using the backward stepping test and the results of the crossover stepping test were recorded using a force platform. The VR group showed significant improvement in hip muscle strength of the extensors, flexors, adductors, and abductors after 8 weeks (all P≤.001). However, no significant improvement was observed in the control group. The VR group had significantly greater ground reaction force on the backward stepping test (with eyes opened and closed) (all P<.005) and the crossover stepping test (with eyes opened and closed) (all P≤.001) compared with those at baseline. However, no significant improvement was observed in the control group. The VR-based exercise program includes the role of supervisor and feedback, which is important for older adults. Therefore, a VR-based exercise program may be a useful tool to improve decreased physical function in older adults as a home-based exercise.