Virtual reality (VR) exergames provide a unique opportunity for developing safe and effective therapies for older adults at assisted living facilities. This group of people has an increased risk of falls which can lead to severe injuries and increase the risk of falls even further. Fall prevention training is done regularly at these facilities, but workload for physicians is high, and the exercises generally do not change that often. In this paper we discuss results of interviews with senior hospital staff and adequate fall prevention exercises which can be implemented in patients daily schedules and administered through a VR exergame. Movements that control the exergame match the motions suggested by our partner physicians and improve balance by shifting the players center of mass.
Virtual reality (VR) exergames provide a unique opportunity for developing safe and effective therapies for older adults at assisted living facilities. This group of people has an increased risk of falls, which can lead to severe injuries and increase the risk of falls even further. An early detailed individualized assessment and treatment intervention for older adults with preexisting conditions is recommended, but the workload for physicians is high and training is often perceived as boring because exercises generally do not change that often. In this paper, we introduce a seated VR exergame for fall prevention of older adults. The game has been designed and developed together with clinical experts and therapists to provide adequate fall prevention exercises, which can be implemented in patient's daily schedules and administered through a VR exergame. Movements that control the exergame match the motions suggested by our partner physicians and improve balance by shifting the players center of mass.