On this page
About the project
Older adults are at an increased risk for falls. Falls can lead to injury-related hospitalizations and add extra burden to the healthcare system. Falls are a major public health concern for older adults in New Brunswick, as recent data suggests that nine older adults are hospitalized every day because of a fall in New Brunswick. Research shows that engaging in challenging balance exercises is the most important aspect of strategies to prevent falls. This was the focus of the intervention in this project. Virtual reality technology is also a promising tool for preventing falls in older adults and improving fall prevention programs. The ‘Implementing Virtual Reality in Advanced Falls Prevention’ pilot project aimed to evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a community-based fall risk prevention program for older adults that incorporated virtual reality technologies. The program involved a multicomponent exercise intervention, with virtual reality training as an addition. Participants performed exercises and practiced actions that reduced their fall risk to help prevent future falls. 108 older adults, including 73 women and 28 men participated in the project.
Conclusions and lessons learned
- There is a great need for fall prevention programs that target older adults in community settings.
- Overall, the preliminary findings indicate that the multicomponent fall prevention program has the potential to improve balance control and reduce fear of falling among older adults. However, it is not clear whether the virtual reality training is more beneficial than the psychoeducation training, or vice versa.
- Older adults responded positively and showed increased interest to participate in the program.
- The project has potential for expansion, but further research and funding are necessary to fully carry out and maintain the intervention.
Recommendations
- Ensure transportation and diverse needs of participants are taken into consideration during program planning.
To learn more read the complete project findings (PDF 117 KB)