Citation

Prata MG, Scheicher ME. J. Bodyw. Mov. Ther. 2015; 19(4): 646-650.

Affiliation

Department of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy, São Paulo State University, Marília, SP, Brazil; Postgraduate Program in Human Development and Technologies, São Paulo State University, Rio Claro, São Paulo, Brazil. Electronic address: mscheiche@marilia.unesp.br.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Elsevier Publishing)

DOI

10.1016/j.jbmt.2014.11.013

PMID

26592222

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of virtual reality and strength training on the balance, fear of falling and handgrip strength of older women with a history of falls. The fear of falling, mobility and grip strength were evaluated in 11 elderly fallers (72.4 ± 5.2 years). The faller group was submitted to 12 weeks of virtual reality and muscle strength training. The results showed improvement in mobility (p = 0.0004) and in the fear of falling (p = 0.002). No significant difference was observed for hand grip strength. It can be concluded that virtual reality and muscle strength interventions are beneficial for mobility and fear of falling in older women with a history of falls.

Language: en