Motion tracking virtual reality technology in improving gait in the elderly: A randomized controlled trial

Objective This study aimed to assess the effectiveness of virtual reality-based treadmill training on gait performance and tolerance in the elderly. Design Two-armed randomized controlled trial. Setting The Medical Rehabilitation Sciences Department, Umm Al Qura University, Saudi Arabia. Participants Sixty Saudi elderly of both sexes, aged 65–75 years, were included. Interventions Participants were divided into two groups. The control group received treadmill training without virtual reality, alongside a conventional exercise program. The experimental group received a training program that was similar to the control group's exercises but with C-Mill virtual reality treadmill training. The program lasted one hour, three times per week, over four consecutive weeks. Main Measures The study assessed changes in outcome measures at baseline, Post-1 (after four weeks of training), and Post-2 (four weeks post-training). These measures encompassed the primary outcome, the 6-minute walk test (meter), as well as secondary outcomes such as stride length (meter), stride time (second), cadence (steps/minute), and velocity (meter/second). These parameters were evaluated using the GaitRite electronic gait analysis walkway. Results The experimental group showed better improvement in the mean values of the 6-minute walk test, stride length, stride time, cadence, and velocity compared to the control group at post-1 and post-2. The P-values were respectively at post-1 (0.019, 0.015, 0.041, 0.013, and 0.021) and (0.011, 0.025, 0.073, 0.061, and 0.017) at post-2 (all, P < .05). Conclusions C-Mill virtual reality treadmill training shows potential in improving gait parameters and walking tolerance in the elderly in Saudi Arabia.