Effect of Fully Immersed Virtual Reality versus Otago exercises on balance and cognition in elderly population. A Randomized Clinical Trial

Physical activity has an important role in maintaining health, especially for senior citizen. Maintaining balance and coordination and improving functional abilities and is essential for elderly as risk of falling can result in loss of independence or in severe cases may lead to significant morbidity or death.Increasing in ageing is inversely proportional to by cognitive deterioration and functional capacities which often lead deficits in physical performance and walking. These changes occur even in the absence of diseases. Poor balance hampers activities of daily living, and leads to poor quality of life.

Otago Exercise Program (OEP) consist of resistance and balance training exercises, proving it’s success in improving balance and lowering risk of falls and also improves cognitive function upto certain extent.

Virtual reality being an emerging technology, used for physical rehabilitation,9 helps in improving static and dynamic balance along with postural stability and provides biofeedback.

Cognitive dysfunction shows direct correlation with balance impairment and risk of falls.

Evidence suggest that poor mobility may be associated with poor cognitive function, and hence it becomes important to train both these aspects. Combined effect of otago exercise along with cognitive training lacks its evidence in research. Moreover, fully immersive technique of VR and cognitive training is not much explored in geriatric population and hence this study is been taken up, to add on to the knowledge of research.