title: Unsupervised virtual reality-based exercise program improves hip muscle strength and balance control in older adults: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the effects of an unsupervised virtual reality (VR)-based exercise program on hip muscle strength and balance control in older adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  Controlled cohort repeated-measures experimental design, a pilot study.
  
  
  METHODS
  University research laboratory.
  
  
  METHODS
  Ambulatory older adults (N=32) from a local community.
  
  
  METHODS
  The VR group (n=18; mean ± SD, 68.28±3.74y; 4 men) completed the VR-based exercise program, whereas the remaining subjects in the control group (n=14; mean ± SD, 66.21±3.87y, 1 man) were asked to continue their daily routine for 8 weeks.
  
  
  METHODS
  Hip muscle strength was measured using a multimodal dynamometer, and ground reaction force using the backward stepping test and the results of the crossover stepping test were recorded using a force platform.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The VR group showed significant improvement in hip muscle strength of the extensors, flexors, adductors, and abductors after 8 weeks (all P≤.001). However, no significant improvement was observed in the control group. The VR group had significantly greater ground reaction force on the backward stepping test (with eyes opened and closed) (all P<.005) and the crossover stepping test (with eyes opened and closed) (all P≤.001) compared with those at baseline. However, no significant improvement was observed in the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The VR-based exercise program includes the role of supervisor and feedback, which is important for older adults. Therefore, a VR-based exercise program may be a useful tool to improve decreased physical function in older adults as a home-based exercise.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Therapy, College of Health Science, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Jungjin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Jaebum
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Son
authors.forename: Nayeon
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: Bumchul
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Yoon
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D015444:Exercise; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength; D053581:Muscle Strength Dynamometer; D010865:Pilot Projects; D004856:Postural Balance; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D018910:Video Games; D063367:Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy / Q000379:methods*