title: Rehabilitation of the psychomotor consequences of falling in an elderly population: A pilot study to evaluate feasibility and tolerability of virtual reality training.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  A fall in elderly subjects can lead to serious psychological consequences. These symptoms can develop into Fear of Falling with behavioural disorders comparable to PTSD that may severely limit autonomy. Virtual reality training (VRT) could be seen as a worthwhile therapeutic approach for this syndrome since it has been shown to be a useful tool for motor rehabilitation or combat-related PTSD. We thus developed a training scenario for VRT with psychomotor therapists.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To test the feasibility and acceptability of VRT when used by elderly adults for fall rehabilitation.
  
  
  METHODS
  Our population of 8 patients older than 75 years, with a Mini Mental Score Examination greater than 18/30 performed sessions of VRT and answered a questionnaire on the feasibility and acceptability of it.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This sample showed a highly favourable response to the prototype of VRT. They found it easy to use, enjoyed the experience, and thought it realistic and helpful.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The conclusions of our study are limited by sample size. However, applications with VRT can offer the potential of an acceptable technique for elderly subjects. The next step will be to show the efficacy of this method in the management of post-fall PTSD.
authors.affiliation: Centre d'Expertise National en Stimulation Cognitive, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Marivan
authors.affiliation: Pole de gérontologie, Hôpital Broca (AP-HP), Paris, France.|Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Clémence
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Boully
authors.affiliation: Centre d'Expertise National en Stimulation Cognitive, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Samuel
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Benveniste
authors.affiliation: Centre d'Expertise National en Stimulation Cognitive, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Serge
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Reingewirtz
authors.affiliation: Pole de gérontologie, Hôpital Broca (AP-HP), Paris, France.|Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Anne-Sophie
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Rigaud
authors.affiliation: Université de Poitiers, Laboratoire Mobilité, Vieillissement, Exercice (MOVE), Poitiers, France.
authors.forename: Gilles
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kemoun
authors.affiliation: Pole de gérontologie, Hôpital Broca (AP-HP), Paris, France.|Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France.
authors.forename: Frédéric
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Bloch
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003198:Computer Simulation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014584:User-Computer Interface
keywords: Rehabilitation; elderly population; psychomotor consequences of fall; virtual reality training