Effect of Virtual Reality Training on Quality of Life and Risk of Falling in Older Men With Nonspecific Low Back Pain

Low back pain (LBP) is one of the most common musculoskeletal pains in the elderly, which is associated with an increased risk of falling and reduced quality of life. Using virtual reality is new method for the rehabilitation based on physical activity. This study aims to determine the effect of eight weeks of virtual reality training (VRT) on quality of life (QoL) and risk of falling in older men with nonspecific LBP. 

In this quasi-experimental study that was conducted in 2021, 27 older men suffering from chronic LBP in Hamedan City participated based on the inclusion criteria in two groups of VRT (n=13) and control (n=14). The VRT group performed the exercises for eight weeks, 3 sessions per week, each session for 30-45 minutes, while the control group did not receive any therapeutic intervention during this period. The risk of falling and QoL before and after the intervention were assessed by the Biodex balance system and the 36-Item short form survey questionnaire, respectively. One-way analysis of covariance was used to analyze the data in SPSS software, version 24. The significance level was set at 0.05. 

The VRT reduced the risk of falling (F=35.712, P=0.001) and increased the QoL (F=32.829, P=0.001) of the elderly in the intervention group. There was no significant difference in any of the variables in the control group (P>0.05).

The VRT, as a cost-effective, available, and interesting method, can be used to reduce the risk of falling and increase the QoL of older men with nonspecific LBP.