Exploring Virtual Reality-Based Training's Effects on Balance Ability and Balance Confidence in Older Adults

The purpose of our study was to investigate virtual reality (VR)-based and traditional balance training methods' effects on balance confidence and balance ability. Falls and imbalance are a major concern for the rapidly growing population of older adults. Thus, there is a need to seek out alternatives to traditional balance programs, particularly ones that can be translated to one's home environment. Within our study, two groups of participants (60 to 80 years old) were trained and assessed: the experimental (VR) group and the control group, 4 participants/group. Training involved balance exercises spanning 6 weeks, two training sessions/week either with or without the VR headset. Pre- and post-training assessments were conducted to gauge changes in balance ability and confidence (Balance Error Scoring System (BESS) and the Activities Specific Balance Confidence (ABC) Scale, respectively). Changes in balance confidence pre- versus post-training were not observed. However, results revealed that there were improvements (decreases in BESS errors) in balance ability in both VR and C groups.