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

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.