Abstract
Falls are the leading cause of injury and injury-related death in the elderly. This study evaluated the effect of virtual reality gait training (VRGT) with non-motorized treadmill on balance and gait ability of elderly individuals who had experienced a fall. Fifty-six elderly individuals living in local communities participated in this study. Subjects who met the selection criteria were randomly divided into a VRGT group (n = 28) and a control group (n = 28). The VRGT group received VRGT with non-motorized treadmill for 50 min a day for 4 weeks and 5 days a week. The control group received non-motorized treadmill gait training without virtual reality for the same amount of time as the VRGT group. Before and after the training, the one-leg-standing test, Berg Balance Scale, Functional Reach test, and Timed Up and Go test were used to assess balance ability, and the gait analyzer system was used to evaluate the improvement in gait spatiotemporal parameters. In the VRGT group, the balance ability variable showed a significant decrease in the one-leg-standing test and a significant improvement in the Timed Up and Go test. With respect to spatiotemporal gait parameters, velocity and step width decreased significantly in the VRGT group (p < 0.05), and stride length and step length were significantly improved in the VRGT group (p < 0.05). VRGT with non-motorized treadmill has been shown to improve balance and gait ability in the elderly. This study is expected to provide basic data on exercise programs for the elderly to prevent falls.
Highlights
Gait is a complex motion that occurs when the nerves, musculoskeletal, and sensory systems are collectively involved, and various segments and joints of the body are harmoniously coordinated
In this study, we propose an excellent intervention in motion-tracking technology that can adjust the video speed in real-time according to the movement of walking using a smartphone and propose a method of applying gait training using nonmotorized treadmill for the elderly
The changes in OLS and Timed Up and Go (TUG) showed a significant improvement after intervention in the virtual reality gait training (VRGT) group (p < 0.05), but not in the control group
Summary
Gait is a complex motion that occurs when the nerves, musculoskeletal, and sensory systems are collectively involved, and various segments and joints of the body are harmoniously coordinated. The general older population’s gait pattern has a shorter step time and they spend a longer time in double support stance [7] These features need to be considered to make walking more secure and stable for the elderly [8,9]. In order to maintain balance and stability during walking, the elderly have decreased cadence and stride length, increased support base, and decreased walking speed [7,8] These older individuals suffer a fundamental cause of instability when walking, and in order to solve the cause, an exercise method that can improve and stabilize the gait of older adults is needed
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
