Comparing the effects of diverse, fully immersive virtual reality (VR) training programmes on the functional fitness of free-living seniors, over 75 years of age: a randomised controlled trial

Introduction: Fully immersive virtual reality (VR) solutions are presently acknowledged to enhance overall effectiveness of conventional physiotherapeutic methods pursued in older adults.Aim of the research: To compare the effect of two fully immersive VR HMD programmes on the functional performance of individuals over 75 years of age.Material and methods: A total of 60 community-dwelling older adults over 75 were enrolled into the study protocol, and randomly split into 2 equally-sized study groups (VRCZ, OCULUS).The physiotherapy sessions were pursued in the subjects' apartments (for 3 weeks, 3 times a week, for 30 minutes in each group).Results: Both groups achieved statistically significant improvement in visuospatial function (TMT B).The VRCZ Group also demonstrated improvement in walking (TUG, p = 0.01), whereas the OCULUS Group notably enhanced its dual-task walking (TUGMAN, p = 0.01).Adverse side effects were reported during the first ten sessions, e.g.dizzy spells, nausea, disorientation.Significantly more subjects experienced dizzy spells in the VRCZ Group (p < 0.001); the same holding true for nausea (p = 0.05), and a need for longer breaks (p = 0.04). Conclusions:The VRCRR HMD project proved to offer a viable, non-pharmacological intervention in the older adults at risk of progressing functional decline.Despite appreciable improvements in functional performance having been reported in both study groups, the higher scores in visuospatial and balance tests were achieved by the OCULUS Group.