Virtual reality (VR) may be better known for gaming and experiences, but new research shows it could also be a powerful tool in preventing falls among older Australians.
Falls are a leading cause of injury and death in people over 65, with one in three experiencing at least one fall each year. Now, researchers from Neuroscience Research Australia (NeuRA) and the University of New South Wales Sydney have found that VR technology can help older adults develop the skills needed to avoid falls in the real world.
Led by Dr Yoshiro Okubo, Research Fellow at NeuRA and Conjoint Senior Lecturer at UNSW Sydney’s School of Population Health, the study used a combination of VR and treadmill training to help participants practice avoiding everyday obstacles.
“We want to help people build their skills and reduce their risk of falling. In this research, we used a virtual reality system and a treadmill to replicate suburban footpaths and challenge participants to avoid obstacles.”
Dr Yoshiro Okubo
The study involved 56 community-dwelling Australians aged 65 and over. Participants walked for eight-minute sessions on a specialised research treadmill while wearing a VR headset that placed them in a simulated outdoor environment. The path featured realistic hazards like cracks, debris and obstacles, as well as virtual apples to collect along the way.
In a key innovation, the system was configured to provide physical feedback, including abrupt belt movements on the treadmill whenever participants “tripped” on a virtual obstacle, mimicking the balance loss experienced during a real-life slip or trip.
“We found that this feedback plays a crucial role in helping older people learn to avoid obstacles,” Dr Okubo added. “And importantly, participants found the VR activity enjoyable, with minimal motion sickness reported.”
The research team, part of NeuRA’s Falls, Balance and Injury Research Centre, is now expanding the program to include virtual environments such as city streets and bush tracks. They are also developing a low-cost VR treadmill system to make the technology more accessible in clinical settings.
A separate trial is underway to investigate the longer-term benefits of this training in people living with Parkinson’s disease.
