Title

Virtual Reality Therapy for Fall Prevention in Older Adults A Comparative Study to Conventional Exercise

Author

Isaac Bachert, Messiah University
Graham Brugger, Messiah University
Lauren Demaioribus, Messiah University
Nathan Fritz, Messiah University
Johanna Redick, Messiah University
Carder Smith, Messiah University
Amy Humphrey, Messiah University

Date of Award

5-2023

Document Type

Project Open Access

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this critically appraised topic is to investigate if VR-HMD interventions have a superseding impact on older adults in preventing falls in comparison to conventional physical therapy balance exercises.

Introduction

• Increases in technology, one of the newest being virtual reality, has positively impacted the world of rehabilitation.
• There are many different types of virtual reality systems that are used, but the most common is the Virtual Reality Head Mounted Display (VR-HMD).
• In the United States, 28% of adults aged 65 and older report falling each year. This is significant because falls are the leading cause of injury-related death among this population, and the age-adjusted fall death rate is increasing.

Recommended Citation

Bachert, Isaac; Brugger, Graham; Demaioribus, Lauren; Fritz, Nathan; Redick, Johanna; Smith, Carder; and Humphrey, Amy, "Virtual Reality Therapy for Fall Prevention in Older Adults A Comparative Study to Conventional Exercise" (2023). Physical Therapy Student Scholarship. 13.
https://mosaic.messiah.edu/pt_st/13