Virtual reality technology improves the gait and balance function of the elderly: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Abstract

Introduction: Improving the gait and balance function is an important part of the health of the elderly. This study aimed to conduct a meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of virtual reality (VR) technology on the gait and balance function of the elderly.

Material and methods: Two authors independently searched EMBASE, PubMed, Web of Science, ClinicalTrials, Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Wanfang and Weipu databases up to October 20, 2023 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the application of VR in improving the gait and balance function in the elderly. We screened the literature, extracted data and evaluated the bias risk of included RCTs, and used RevMan software for meta-analysis.

Results: Fourteen RCTs were finally included in this meta-analysis. A total of 662 elderly adults were included, of whom 336 underwent VR intervention. The results of the meta-analysis showed that the gait and balance function of the elderly in the VR group were significantly better than those in the traditional intervention group (all p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in terms of increasing the muscle strength of the lower extremities or alleviating the fear of falling between groups (all p > 0.05).

Conclusions: VR can effectively improve the gait and dynamic and static balance function of the elderly. However, the effect of VR on increasing the muscle strength of lower extremities and reducing the fear of falling in the elderly is still not obvious.