Functional Balance and Dual-Task Reaction Times in Older Adults Are Improved by Virtual Reality and Biofeedback Training
- 1 February 2007
- journal article
- Published by Mary Ann Liebert Inc in CyberPsychology & Behavior
- Vol. 10 (1), 16-23
- https://doi.org/10.1089/cpb.2006.9997
Abstract
Virtual reality (VR) training has been used successfully to rehabilitate functional balance and mobility in both traumatic brain injury (TBI) survivors and elderly subjects. Similarly, computer-based biofeedback (BF) training has resulted in decreased sway during quiet stance and decreased reaction times during a dual-task reaction time paradigm in elderly subjects. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of VR and BF training on balance and reaction time in older adults. Two groups of twelve healthy older adults completed 10-week training programs consisting of two 30-min sessions per week. VR training required that participants lean sideways to juggle a virtual ball. Participants in the BF group viewed a red dot representing their center of gravity on a screen and were required to move the dot to the four corners of the monitor. Measures of functional balance and mobility (Community Balance and Mobility Scale [CB&M]), sway during quiet stance, and reaction time during a dual task paradigm were recorded before training, as well as 1 week and 1 month after the end of the program. Both groups showed significant improvements on the CB&M, as well as decreased reaction times with training. Postural sway during quiet stance did not change significantly.Keywords
This publication has 21 references indexed in Scilit:
- Differing Risk Factors for Falls in Nursing Home and Intermediate‐Care Residents Who Can and Cannot Stand UnaidedJournal of the American Geriatrics Society, 2003
- The Initial Effects of Low-Volume Strength Training on Balance in Untrained Older Men and WomenJournal of Strength & Conditioning Research, 2003
- Effects of Tai Chi exercise on balance, functional mobility, and fear of falling among older womenApplied Nursing Research, 2002
- A comparison of community-based resistance exercise and flexibility exercise for seniorsAustralian Journal of Physiotherapy, 2002
- Effect of Resistive Knee Extension Training on Postural Control Measures in Middle Aged and Elderly Persons.Journal of PHYSIOLOGICAL ANTHROPOLOGY and Applied Human Science, 2000
- Fall-Induced Injuries and Deaths Among Older AdultsJAMA, 1999
- Exercise training guidelines for the elderlyMedicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, 1999
- The Effect of Strength and Endurance Training on Gait, Balance, Fall Risk, and Health Services Use in Community-Living Older AdultsThe Journals of Gerontology: Series A, 1997
- The Effect of Tai Chi Quan and Computerized Balance Training on Postural Stability in Older SubjectsPTJ: Physical Therapy & Rehabilitation Journal, 1997
- Balance and Strength Training in Older Adults: Intervention Gains and Tai Chi MaintenanceJournal of the American Geriatrics Society, 1996