@article{ref1,
title="Participating in a virtual reality balance exercise program can reduce risk and fear of falls",
journal="Maturitas",
year="2012",
author="Singh, Devinder K. A. and Rajaratnam, Bala S. and Palaniswamy, Vijayakumar and Pearson, Hannah and Raman, Vimal P. and Bong, Pei Sien",
volume="73",
number="3",
pages="239-243",
abstract="OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to quantify the effectiveness of virtual reality balance games (VRBG) to decrease risk and fear of falls among women. METHODS: Thirty six community dwelling women aged 56 and above were randomly divided into experimental (exercises using VRBG focus on improving balance) and control (conventional balance exercises) groups. Both groups attended a twice 6 weekly exercise session for an hour. Risk and fear of falls were measured with Physiological Profile Approach (PPA) and Activity Specific Balance Scale (ABC-6). Pre and post intervention differences between the groups were examined using two way repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: Both VRBG and conventional balance exercise groups had significant decrease in PPA (p<0.001) and ABC-6 (p<0.01) after the interventions. However, no significant effects were demonstrated between the groups in PPA (p=0.18) and ABC-6 (p=0.25) post intervention. Time and group interaction effect were not significant for PPA (p=0.18) and ABC-6 (p=0.45). CONCLUSIONS: Practising VRBG can increase balance confidence and decrease risk of falls among community dwelling women.<p /> <p>Language: en</p>",
language="en",
issn="0378-5122",
doi="10.1016/j.maturitas.2012.07.011",
url="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.maturitas.2012.07.011"
}