Effects of Virtual Reality Based on Fall Prevention Intervention: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Area of Science:

• Gerontology and Rehabilitation Medicine
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Neurology

Background:

• Falls are a major cause of injury, with one in ten incidents leading to physical harm.
• Existing systematic reviews on virtual reality (VR) for fall prevention are limited.
• This study systematically reviews and meta-analyzes VR interventions for fall prevention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess research trends in VR-based fall prevention.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of VR interventions in reducing falls and improving fall self-efficacy.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review and meta-analysis following PRISMA guidelines.
• Searched multiple databases (PubMed, EBMASE, CINAHL, Cochrane, Korean) up to December 31, 2024.
• Included 49 studies, with meta-analysis on 37 using R software (4.4.1).

Main Results:

• VR interventions significantly improved fall self-efficacy (Falls Efficacy Scale: ES = 0.28, p < 0.001).
• No significant reduction in the number of falls was observed overall (ES = -0.31, p = 0.20).
• Largest self-efficacy improvements seen in Parkinson's disease (ES = 0.61) and Multiple Sclerosis (ES = 0.34) groups; significant fall reduction only in MS (ES = -0.56).

Conclusions:

• VR interventions enhance fall self-efficacy, particularly in individuals with neurological conditions.
• Current evidence does not strongly support VR's effectiveness in reducing actual fall incidence.
• Further large-scale, long-term studies are required to confirm VR's sustained impact on fall prevention.