Objective

The aging population is growing in the world, and the reduction in physical function caused by this is an important issue that, particularly, causes a disorder of balance and an increased risk of falling. This study aimed at the comparison between the effects of virtual reality training (VRT) and Conventional balance training (CBT) on the balance of the elderly.

Methods

The present study was conducted on 36 elderly (men and women) who are living in nursing homes. Participants were randomly divided into three groups: virtual reality training (6 males, 6 females; age = 66.5 ± 3.8 years), Conventional balance training (6 males, 6 females; age = 67.5 ± 3.1 years), and control (5 males, 7 females; age = 66.7 ± 3.2 years). Each group participated in a 60-min session, 3 times per week, for 9 weeks. To assess the participants' balance, the balance tests were used on single-leg stance (SLS) with open and closed eyes, Functional reach test (FRT), Timed up and Go Test (TUG), and Fullerton Advance Balance Scale (FABS). Data analysis was done using paired t-test and analysis of covariance by SPSS software version 24 at the significant level (P = 0.05).

Results

In both groups (VRT, CBT), SLS with open and closed eyes, FRT, TUG, and FABS were significantly improved (P˂0.05). After the intervention, changes in both groups were similar (P > 0.05), which indicates that neither VRT and CBT training methods were superior to the other.

Conclusion

According to the results of this study, it seems that a virtual reality training program can be used as a new training method to improve the elderly's balance in daily programs of nursing homes.

中文翻译：

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虚拟现实与传统平衡训练对老年人平衡能力的影响

客观的

世界人口老龄化日益严重，由此引起的身体机能下降是一个重要问题，尤其是导致平衡障碍和跌倒风险增加。本研究旨在比较虚拟现实训练（VRT）和传统平衡训练（CBT）对老年人平衡的影响。

方法

本研究是针对 36 名住在疗养院的老人（男性和女性）进行的。参与者被随机分为三组：虚拟现实训练（6男6女；年龄=66.5±3.8岁）、传统平衡训练（6男6女；年龄=67.5±3.1岁）和对照组（5男， 7 名女性；年龄 = 66.7 ± 3.2 岁）。每组参加 60 分钟的会议，每周 3 次，持续 9 周。为了评估参与者的平衡，平衡测试用于睁眼和闭眼的单腿站立 (SLS)、功能性伸展测试 (FRT)、计时起身测试 (TUG) 和富勒顿高级平衡量表 (FABS) . 数据分析使用配对t检验并通过 SPSS 软件 24 版在显着性水平上进行协方差分析（P = 0.05）。

结果

两组（VRT、CBT）中，睁眼和闭眼的SLS、FRT、TUG和FABS均显着改善（P˂0.05）。干预后，两组的变化相似（P>0.05），表明VRT和CBT训练方法均不优于另一个。

结论

根据这项研究的结果，虚拟现实训练计划似乎可以作为一种新的训练方法来提高老人在养老院日常计划中的平衡能力。