Virtual Reality–Based Physical Exercise With Exergames (PhysEx) Improves Mental and Physical Health of Institutionalized Older Adults

Institutionalized older persons show higher risk of functional dependence and falls due to physical and cognitive decline than community-dwelling residents. 1 González-Colaço Harmand M. Meillon C. Rullier L. et al. Cognitive decline after entering a nursing home: A 22-year follow-up study of institutionalized and noninstitutionalized elderly people. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2014; 15: 504-508 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (0) Google Scholar , 2 de Souto Barreto P. Morley J.E. Chodzko-Zajko W. et al. Recommendations on physical activity and exercise for older adults living in long-term care facilities: A taskforce report. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2016; 17: 381-392 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Google Scholar Approximately 48% of older persons who are institutionalized experience a clear-cut cognitive decline after institutionalization. Together with general health impairments, these problems may be related to poor environmental stimuli provided by long term-care institutions (LTCI) as nursing homes. 1 González-Colaço Harmand M. Meillon C. Rullier L. et al. Cognitive decline after entering a nursing home: A 22-year follow-up study of institutionalized and noninstitutionalized elderly people. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2014; 15: 504-508 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Scopus (0) Google Scholar Recently, the Taskforce Report 2 de Souto Barreto P. Morley J.E. Chodzko-Zajko W. et al. Recommendations on physical activity and exercise for older adults living in long-term care facilities: A taskforce report. J Am Med Dir Assoc. 2016; 17: 381-392 Abstract Full Text Full Text PDF PubMed Google Scholar has shown recommendations to increase the level of physical activity and to improve mental and physical functions of institutionalized older persons. This statement highlights the relevance of physical activity and physical exercise to reduce the risk of sarcopenia, increase performance in activities of daily living, decrease risk of falls, and to prevent cognitive decline and depression in these people. These authors recommend pleasurable physical activities and physical exercise with moderate intensity twice a week and suggest that technological resources might be used in interventions to promote pleasure and motivation and to reduce chronic diseases and cognitive and physical decline of institutionalized older persons. We aimed at investigating the effect of virtual reality–based physical exercise with exergames (PhysEx) on cognitive functions, physical performance, depressive symptoms, and fear of falling of institutionalized older persons. Its main objective is to serve as a proof of principle for further development of larger studies.