Physiotherapy Programmes Aided by VR Solutions Applied to the Seniors Affected by Functional Capacity Impairment: Randomised Controlled Trial

Marek Zak; Tomasz Sikorski; Szymon Krupnik; Magdalena Wasik; Katarzyna Grzanka; Daniel Courteix; Frederic Dutheil; Waldemar Brola

doi:10.3390/ijerph19106018

Physiotherapy Programmes Aided by VR Solutions Applied to the Seniors Affected by Functional Capacity Impairment: Randomised Controlled Trial

Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2022 May 15;19(10):6018. doi: 10.3390/ijerph19106018.

Authors

Marek Zak¹, Tomasz Sikorski², Szymon Krupnik³, Magdalena Wasik², Katarzyna Grzanka², Daniel Courteix⁴, Frederic Dutheil^{5

6}, Waldemar Brola¹

Affiliations

¹ Jan Kochanowski University, Institute of Health Sciences, Collegium Medicum, Zeromskiego 5, 25-369 Kielce, Poland.
² Jan Kochanowski University, Doctoral School, Zeromskiego 5, 25-369 Kielce, Poland.
³ Symmetry, Medical Rehabilitation Centre, 41-208 Sosnowiec, Poland.
⁴ Université Clermont Auvergne, Laboratory of the Metabolic Adaptations to Exercise under Physiological and Pathological Conditions (AME2P), 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France.
⁵ CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Occupational and Environmental Medicine, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France.
⁶ Université Clermont Auvergne, CNRS, LaPSCo, Physiological and Psychosocial Stress, 63000 Clermont-Ferrand, France.

Abstract

Modern technologies are presently harnessed in response to a complex challenge of providing physiotherapeutic management in older adults. Fully immersive virtual reality (VR) solutions are acknowledged to viably enhance the overall effectiveness of traditional physiotherapeutic methods. A total of 60 community-dwelling older adults (over 75 years of age) were recruited for the study protocol. They were subsequently randomly split into four equally sized study groups (VR, CVR, OCULUS, and the classic programme group (OTAGO), and the physiotherapy sessions were pursued in the subjects’ homes for 3 weeks, 3 times a week, for 30 min in each group. At the first measurement point, respective study groups differed significantly in functional performance, as expressed in gait (POMA G) and individual static balance. The post hoc analysis indicated significantly higher scores in POMA G for the classic programme group vs. the results of the VR and CVR groups. On the other hand, the OCULUS group held significantly higher scores in individual balance and TUG, as compared to the other groups (p < 0.001). Making use of a virtual reality (VR) environment in the physiotherapeutic management of community-dwelling older adults appreciably enhanced individual functional performance, especially in terms of static balance. Physiotherapy management aided by VR technology solutions offers a viable alternative to traditional physiotherapeutic regimens (e.g., OTAGO programme) in enhancing individual functional performance. The innovatively self-designed VIRTUAL REALITY COMPREHENSIVE REHABILITATION ROOMS (VRCRR) solution may help out in pursuing a complex physiotherapy programme on an individual basis within one’s own home environment.

Keywords: OTAGO programme; elderly; exergaming; fall risk; rehabilitation strategies; seniors; telerehabilitation; virtual reality (VR) technology.

Publication types

Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Aged
Humans
Physical Functional Performance
Physical Therapy Modalities
Upper Extremity
Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy* / methods
Virtual Reality*

Grants and funding

This research project was funded by the Ministry of Education and Science—“Regional Initiative of Excellence”—spanning the period 2019–2022; (Grant ref. no. 024/RID/ 2018/19); amount of financing allocated to the project: PLN 11 999 000.00. The scope of research intended for this publication was also pursued under the Chancellor’s grant (Jan Kochanowski University of Kielce, Poland—Project Ref. No. SUBP RN 21155).