title: Comparison of the effects of virtual reality-based balance exercises and conventional exercises on balance and fall risk in older adults living in nursing homes in Turkey.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is limited information on effective balance training techniques including virtual reality (VR)-based balance exercises in residential settings and no studies have been designed to compare the effects of VR-based balance exercises with conventional balance exercises in older adults living in nursing homes in Turkey. The objective of our study was to investigate the effects of VR-based balance exercises on balance and fall risk in comparison to conventional balance exercises in older adults living in nursing homes.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total sample of 18 subjects (65-82 years of age) with fall history who were randomly assigned to either the VR group (Group 1, n = 7) or the conventional exercise group (Group 2, n = 11) completed the exercise training.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In both groups, Berg balance score (BBS), timed up & go duration, and left leg stance and tandem stance duration with eyes closed significantly improved with time (p < 0.05), but changes were similar in both groups (p > 0.05) after training, indicating that neither the exercise method was superior.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Similar improvements were found in balance and fall risk with VR-based balance training and conventional balance training in older adults living in the nursing home. Both exercise trainings can be preferable by health care professionals considering fall prevention. Appropriate patient selection is essential.
authors.affiliation: a School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Dokuz Eylul University , Izmir , Turkey.
authors.forename: Sevgi Sevi
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Yeşilyaprak
authors.affiliation: a School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Dokuz Eylul University , Izmir , Turkey.
authors.forename: Meriç Şenduran
authors.initials: MŞ
authors.lastname: Yıldırım
authors.affiliation: a School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Dokuz Eylul University , Izmir , Turkey.
authors.forename: Murat
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tomruk
authors.affiliation: a School of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, Dokuz Eylul University , Izmir , Turkey.
authors.forename: Özge
authors.initials: Ö
authors.lastname: Ertekin
authors.affiliation: b Department of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation , School of Health Sciences, Istanbul Medipol University , Istanbul , Turkey.
authors.forename: Z Candan
authors.initials: ZC
authors.lastname: Algun
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005081:Exercise Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006707:Homes for the Aged; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009735:Nursing Homes; D004856:Postural Balance; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012307:Risk Factors; D013813:Therapy, Computer-Assisted; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014421:Turkey; D018910:Video Games
keywords: Balance; exercise training; older adults; physical therapy; virtual reality