C-Mill Virtual Reality/Augmented Reality Treadmill Training for Reducing Risk of Fall in the Elderly: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Objective: Falling is considered one of the major problems that may affect the elderly, leading to multiple health issues. Walking adaptability to environmental demands is essential for safe walking in the elderly. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of virtual reality (VR)/augmented reality (AR) treadmill training on balance performance and the risk of falls in the elderly. Materials and Methods: Sixty Saudi elderly individuals of both genders, aged between 60 and 70 years, participated in the study. The participants were categorized into two groups: the experimental and the control groups. Both groups received 1 hour of training: 30 minutes of conventional exercises and 30 minutes of gait training on the C-Mill VR/AR treadmill. The experimental group used the C-Mill treadmill with VR and AR games therapy. The control group had gait training on the C-Mill treadmill without VR and AR. The training for both groups was conducted for 6 successive weeks/three times a week. The changes in the scores of the following variables were recorded at baseline, after 6 weeks of training, and 4 weeks after the completion of training. These variables involved the time needed for completing the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test, overall stability indices of the Fall Risk (FR) test and Limit of Stability (LOS) test evaluated using the Biodex Balance System (BBS), and the time required for completing the LOS test. Results: Both groups demonstrated significant improvement in all measured variables immediately post-training, and this improvement persisted for 4 weeks after completing the training. The experimental group exhibited greater improvement in the recorded values of all measured variables compared with the control group following the training. Conclusions: This study concluded that C-Mill VR/AR treadmill training is effective in improving balance control and reducing the fall risk in the elderly.