The Use of Virtual Reality for the Gait Training of Elderly Fallers

Gait Training Intervention to Evaluate the Efficacy of Using Virtual Reality to Decrease Fall Risk in the Elderly Population

The study aims to investigate the efficacy of gait training using virtual reality to decrease the risk of falls in elderly idiopathic fallers. The investigator hypothesize that training with virtual reality would increase the ability to perform in the "real world" environment and decrease the risk of falls in elderly adults.

The study is a prospective single-blinded randomized control study with repeated measures at pre intervention, post intervention and follow up at 3 and 6 months post intervention. For six months after termination of the intervention, all subjects will fill out a log book in which they will write the occurrence and date of falls. total time of participation in the study will be 8 months.

Inclusion Criteria:

• between the ages of 65-85
• independent in activities of daily living
• able to walk without assistance for at least 10 minutes
• cognitively intact (Mini Mental State Exam ≥24)
• reported 2 or more falls within 6 months prior to the beginning of the study

Exclusion Criteria:

• any neurological, orthopedic or any other impairment likely to impact gait.
• severe visual impairments
• major depression as defined by the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) criteria