Postural Control and reaction time acute effects of virtual reality physiotherapy session in adults over 40: A randomized clinical trial

Emanuel Silva, Félix Lopes, Maria António Castro, João Pereira, Tomás Mota
Purpose:

This study aims to explore the applicability of immersive VR, in a physiotherapy session, in improving postural control and action-reaction time in healthy adults aged 40 and over.

Methods:

Twenty-two participants were included in the study and randomly divided into an experimental group integrating immersive VR, and a control group that followed a conventional physiotherapy plan. Both groups participated in a physiotherapy session and were subjected to a similar exercise program to improve reaction time and balance although the experimental group with virtual reality. The postural control through CoP with a Bertec force platform and the reaction time with Blazepod were assessed in different tasks before and after the intervention.

Results:

 Eleven participants in the experimental group, 6 women and 5 men (51.2 years; SD= 5.38) and 11 in the control group, 7 women and 4 men (53.0 years; SD = 6.74). While performing an intra-group analysis,  both groups showed significant improvements, after the training session, in postural control parameters and reaction time. After the intervention, the reaction time of the experimental group decreased from 1.019 m/s to 0.869 m/s, and the control group decreased from 0.952 m/s to 0.776 m/s although, no statistical differences were found. Regarding postural control, the intragroup analysis in both groups shows statistically significant differences in seven tasks. In the intergroup analysis, statistically significant results were found in the mediolateral swing amplitude during the Sitting to standing movement and the swing area when Standing with closed eyes.

Conclusion(s):

The study suggests that incorporating VR into a physiotherapy session is as effective as a traditional session in improving postural control and reaction time. However, this indicates that VR can be used as a complementary tool in physiotherapy.

Implications:

VR shown to be effective in modifying some risks for falls in adults over 40 years old. Implementing VR programs in physiotherapy intervention may drive people to perform early fall prevention programs. 


Funding acknowledgements:
Unfunded
Keywords:
Physiotherapy Virtual Reality
Postural Control
Reaction Time
Primary topic:
Health promotion and wellbeing/healthy ageing/physical activity
Second topic:
Innovative technology: robotics
Did this work require ethics approval?:
Yes
Name the institution and ethics committee that approved your work:
Polytechnic University of Leiria, ethics committee of Polytechnic University of Leiria
Provide the ethics approval number:
CE/IPLEIRIA/28/2024
Has any of this material been/due to be published or presented at another national or international conference prior to the World Physiotherapy Congress 2025?:
No

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