An Innovative Gait Training Program in Immersive Virtual Reality for Healthy Older Adults

Aix Marseille Université

Status: Not yet enrolling

Conditions: Elderly; Fall

Treatments: Behavioral: Gait training

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05915130

GTPVR

Details and patient eligibility

About

Background Impaired gait adaptability is one of the major causes of falls among older adults by producing inappropriate gait adjustments in cluttered environments. Training programs designed to improve gait adaptability behavior in a systemic approach may prevent falls in older adults. Recently, the technology of virtual reality has appeared as a relevant gait training tool based on its training implementation potential. The present study was designed to compare the effectiveness of a virtual reality gait training program (VR group) for improving gait adaptability behavior and thus, reducing the risk of falls relative to a conventional training program of Nordic walkway (NW group). We hypothesize that the virtual reality gait training program will lead to greater gait adaptability improvements.

Methods The protocol describes a randomized controlled trial with pre-tests, post-tests, retention tests and follow-up. Forty healthy independent living community dweller participants (65-80 years) will be allocated, after a general medical examination, to the VR or the NW group for a training program of six weeks. Primary outcome related to gait adaptability capacities and acceptance of the virtual reality device will be assessed in pre- and post-intervention and one month after the completion of the training program (retention). A follow-up will be done during the 12 months after the completion of the gait training program.

Discussion This study will demonstrate the relative relevance of a gait training program in virtual reality versus a conventional one for improving gait adaptability behavior in healthy older adults and thus preventing falls.

Enrollment: 40 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 65 to 80 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• aged between 65 and 80
• with weekly moderate to vigorous physical activity

Exclusion criteria

• inability to practice activity at a moderate or vigorous intensity
• moderate or severe cognitive impairments
• severe non-corrected visual impairments
• uncontrolled psychiatric disorders

Trial design

Primary purpose: Prevention

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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40 participants in 2 patient groups

Virtual reality training program

Experimental group

Description:

In the VR group, participants will practice the training sessions in an experimental room. In one training session, participants will negotiate 60 trials. Participants will practice gait training sessions in a fully immersive virtual reality. They will negotiate virtual obstacles such as avoiding a rock or crossing over a tree root, thus improving their gait adaptability capacities.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Gait training

Nordic walking training program

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will be instructed to walk with poles continuously around the park. Each training session will consist of a warm-up (10 min), main exercise (40 min), and cool-down (5 min) periods. Participants will adapt their locomotion to uneven terrain. They will negotiate natural obstacles such as avoiding a rock or crossing over a tree root, thus improving their gait adaptability capacities.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Gait training