Individualized feedback-based virtual reality exercise improves older women's self-perceived health: A randomized controlled trial

Minyoung Lee, Jaebum Son, Jungjin Kim, Bum Chul Yoon

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    39 Citations (Scopus)

    Abstract

    Objectives: Individualized feedback-based virtual reality (IFVR) exercise is gaining attention as a cost-effective self-management strategy, however little is known about whether older adults themselves perceive IFVR exercise effective in improving their health. Therefore, we studied the effect of IFVR exercise on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in older women. Methods: Fifty-four older women aged ≥65 years were randomized to either IFVR exercise group (IFVRG, n= 26) or group-based exercise group (GG, n= 28). Both groups received a 60-min intervention three times a week for eight weeks. The Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) was administered. To identify the possible placebo effect, 30-Second Chair Stand Test (30SCST), 8-Foot Up-and-Go Test (8FUGT), and 2-Minute Step Test (2MST) were also administered. Results: intention-to-treat analysis with adjustment for baseline levels revealed that IFVRG showed greater improvement in mental health (p= 0.029) and lower body strength (p= 0.042), compared to GG. Within-group analysis for HRQoL revealed that IFVRG showed an increase in role-physical (p= 0.015), bodily pain (p= 0.017), general health (p= 0.004), vitality (p= 0.010), role-emotional (p= 0.007), and mental health (p<0.001), whereas GG showed an increase in role-physical (p= 0.022), general health (p= 0.023), and social functioning (p = 0.023). Both groups showed an increase in 30SCST, 2MST and 8FUGT (all p<0.001). Conclusion: IFVR exercise improved HRQoL in older women, in addition to improving physical fitness. Therefore, it might be recommended to older women as an effective self-management strategy.

    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)154-160
    Number of pages7
    JournalArchives of Gerontology and Geriatrics
    Volume61
    Issue number2
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - 2015 Sept 1

    Bibliographical note

    Funding Information:
    This work was supported by a grant from the Korean National Rehabilitation Institute.

    Publisher Copyright:
    © 2015 Elsevier Ireland Ltd.

    Copyright:
    Copyright 2016 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.

    Keywords

    • Mental health
    • Older adult
    • Physical fitness
    • Quality of life
    • Virtual reality

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Health(social science)
    • Ageing
    • Gerontology
    • Geriatrics and Gerontology

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