Effectiveness of virtual reality in preventing falls in non-disabled older adults: A meta-analysis and systematic review

Geriatr Nurs. 2024 May 9:58:15-25. doi: 10.1016/j.gerinurse.2024.04.010. Online ahead of print.

Abstract

Objective: This study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality interventions in preventing falls among non-disabled older adults.

Methods: We conducted a librarian-designed database search. Two researchers independently screened eligible studies. The Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions was used to assess the risk of bias in the included studies.

Results: Virtual reality interventions can effectively improve gait and dynamic and static balance function, enhance lower limb muscle strength, and reduce the risk of falls in the non-disabled elderly. However, the effect of virtual reality on reducing the fear of falling remains controversial.

Conclusion: Virtual reality interventions can effectively prevent falls in nondisabled elderly individuals. Higher quality, larger sample size, and long-term follow-up studies are needed to further verify the long-term effectiveness of virtual reality training in preventing falls in non-disabled elderly individuals.

Keywords: Falls; Meta-analysis; Non-disabled; Older adults; Virtual reality.