Virtual Reality – Based Training to Improve Postural Stability and Functional Balance in Healthy Elderly Women – a pilot study

Objective: to observe through objective testing using assessment module incorporated in new virtual reality (VR) system whether elderly people’s static and functional balance is improved by VR balance training program that is based on movements performed in everyday life. Materials and Methods: Thirteen healthy elderly women participated in 12 sessions of balance-based VR training (three times a week, 30 minutes per session). The system used combined a posturographic platform with a 3D measurement system based on time-of-flight cameras (Kinect). All objective outcomes: the quiet standing test, Functional Balance Test (FBT) and limit of stability (LOS) test were measured on 3 occasions: before intervention, after 6 training sessions and after the completion of the 4-week program. Results: Results showed significant improvement in LOS performance after intervention. In FBT participants exhibited significant decrease (p