Virtual reality exercise programs ameliorate frailty and fall risks in older adults: A meta-analysis

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Rehabilitation Medicine
• Virtual Reality Technology

Background:

• Frailty in older adults is a growing concern, impacting mobility and fall risk.
• Virtual reality (VR) presents a novel approach to rehabilitation, but its efficacy for frail older adults requires further investigation.
• This study synthesizes evidence on VR's impact on key frailty indicators.

Approach:

• A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was conducted.
• Studies were identified through comprehensive searches of multiple electronic databases up to December 2022.
• RCTs focusing on interactive VR interventions for older adults (65+ years) with frailty were included, analyzing effects on muscle strength, walking speed, balance, and fall risk.

Key Points:

• Interactive VR training significantly enhanced lower-limb muscle strength, walking speed, balance, and reduced fall risks when frailty was defined by fall risk criteria.
• When frailty was defined by the Fried frailty phenotype, VR interventions showed significant improvements in walking speed and balance only.
• The effect sizes indicate a moderate positive impact of VR on these parameters.

Conclusions:

• Interactive VR training shows promise for improving walking speed and balance in frail older adults.
• High-quality studies are needed to further validate the effectiveness of VR exercise interventions for frailty-related outcomes.
• VR may offer a valuable tool for enhancing the physical function and reducing fall risks in this population.