The Potential of Non-Immersive Virtual Reality Exercise for Older Adults

Regular exercise is crucial for maintaining health and independence among older adults, but many face barriers to regular physical activity. A recent study investigating non-immersive virtual reality (NIVR) exercise programs suggests a promising solution. These programs, often referred to as exergaming, offer a fun and engaging way to stay active, potentially overcoming some of the barriers typical for seniors.

The Study Design

The research, conducted by the Bruyère Health Research Institute and Centre for Innovation and Research in Aging, involved two groups of older adults—those living at home and those residing in long-term care facilities. Participants were randomly assigned to either NIVR or traditional exercise routines for eight weeks.

The NIVR program used customized, gamified exercises focusing on balance, stepping, strengthening, and aerobic conditioning. Each participant engaged in these exercises for 20-30 minutes, three to five times per week.

Recruitment Challenges

Recruitment for both groups was impacted significantly by the COVID-19 pandemic. The facility-based sample consisted of 31 participants, while the home-based sample included 16. Despite these challenges, the study provided valuable insights into the impact of NIVR on various aspects of health and wellbeing.

Key Findings

While the study did not reveal statistically significant improvements across all measured outcomes, it highlighted several positive trends. Notably, the facility-based NIVR group showed clinically significant progress in functional walking, surpassing the minimal clinically important difference by several seconds.

No falls occurred during the NIVR sessions, indicating the safety of the program. Both groups participated enthusiastically, with home-based participants averaging 17.2 sessions and facility-based participants completing an average of 14.1 sessions.

Agreement and Motivation

Participants expressed strong approval and enthusiasm for the NIVR program. They found it challenging, motivating, and reported improvements in balance and walking. Most participants were interested in continuing the program beyond the study period.

Challenges and Limitations

The study faced several limitations. While safety and enjoyment were significant strengths, issues such as adherence and technological barriers arose. Participants sometimes found the initial exercises challenging, but adjustments by the study team helped address this.

Many limitations were inherent to the study’s design. For example, outcomes with standardized tests like the Berg Balance Scale showed a ceiling effect for some participants, suggesting that different tests might have provided a clearer picture.

Implications for Future Research

The findings point to the feasibility and safety of non-immersive virtual reality exercise for both home-based and facility-based older adults. Future research should focus on larger sample sizes to confirm these results fully.

Further studies should also consider diverse populations, including those with mild cognitive impairments or varied health conditions, to understand the broader impact of exergaming.

Conclusion

In conclusion, non-immersive virtual reality exercise holds promise as a safe, feasible, and enjoyable method to increase physical activity among older adults. While further research is needed to solidify these findings, the current study marks an important step in finding effective solutions to help seniors maintain their quality of life.

“NIVR for home-based and facility-based older adults is safe, feasible, and increases users’ weekly levels of physical activity. Further research with larger sample sizes to allow sufficient power should be performed to confirm a beneficial impact on physical function and quality of life.”

Image of a Home-Based VR Session