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Abstract

Fall prevention in the elderly:
exergames, virtual reality, and visual biofeedback

published in November - December 2021 - in Il Fisioterapista - issue n.6
Pamela Patanè, Ilaria Albanese, Andrea Giacalone, Massimiliano Febbi, Luca Marin

In the elderly, morphological modifications dictated by the aging process constitute one of the main risk factors for falls, often caused by balance and walking disorders. Fall-related injuries and the fear of falling again contribute to the decline of functional capacities, with a consequent decrease in autonomy and quality of life. In addition, a sedentary lifestyle aggravates the normal decline in physiological function and increases the vulnerability of the elderly. The effect of physical activity on reducing falls and improving balance is a primary component of fall prevention guidelines. To ensure adherence to physical training interventions, it is important to make the interventions accessible, supporting the user and limiting the development of negative feelings. For this, there is an increasing use of new technologies, such as exergames, virtual reality and visual biofeedback, in order to make training more attractive and stimulating.