Citation

Singh DK, Rajaratnam BS, Palaniswamy V, Pearson H, Raman VP, Bong PS. Maturitas 2012; 73(3): 239-243.

Affiliation

Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Faculty of Health Sciences, Jalan Raja Muda Abdul Aziz, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2012, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.maturitas.2012.07.011

PMID

22884437

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to quantify the effectiveness of virtual reality balance games (VRBG) to decrease risk and fear of falls among women. METHODS: Thirty six community dwelling women aged 56 and above were randomly divided into experimental (exercises using VRBG focus on improving balance) and control (conventional balance exercises) groups. Both groups attended a twice 6 weekly exercise session for an hour. Risk and fear of falls were measured with Physiological Profile Approach (PPA) and Activity Specific Balance Scale (ABC-6). Pre and post intervention differences between the groups were examined using two way repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: Both VRBG and conventional balance exercise groups had significant decrease in PPA (p<0.001) and ABC-6 (p<0.01) after the interventions. However, no significant effects were demonstrated between the groups in PPA (p=0.18) and ABC-6 (p=0.25) post intervention. Time and group interaction effect were not significant for PPA (p=0.18) and ABC-6 (p=0.45). CONCLUSIONS: Practising VRBG can increase balance confidence and decrease risk of falls among community dwelling women.

Language: en