Effect of Virtual Reality Exercises on the Cognitive Status and Dual Motor Task Performance of the Aging Population
Metadata
Show full item recordEditorial
MDPI
Materia
Virtual driving Physical Activity Behavioral status Mental state Older men
Date
2021Referencia bibliográfica
Nobari, H.; Rezaei, S.; Sheikh, M.; Fuentes-García, J.P.; Pérez-Gómez, J. Effect of Virtual Reality Exercises on the Cognitive Status and Dual Motor Task Performance of the Aging Population. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 8005. https://doi.org/10.3390/ ijerph18158005
Abstract
Aging is a global phenomenon affecting numerous developed and developing countries.
During this process, the functional state of the body, especially the cognitive state, declines. This
research investigated the impact of virtual reality exercises on the cognitive status and dual-task
performance in the elderly of Tabriz city, Iran. Forty men with a mean age of 71.5 were selected and
assigned to either the experimental (n = 20) or control groups (n = 20). Both groups completed the
Mini-Mental State Examination for cognitive status. The pre-test was performed through the Timed
Up and Go test (TUG) along with a countdown of numbers. Then, the experimental group practiced
virtual driving for six weeks, while the control group received no treatment. After the treatment,
both groups completed the post-test. At each stage, the test was performed as a dual motor task
as well. Data were analyzed using the paired t-test and the independent sample t-test to show the
intra-group and inter-group differences, respectively. The results showed a significant improvement
in the cognitive status and dual-task performance of the elderly men after the six-week training
period, which was also significant compared to the control group. Virtual reality driving can be used
to improve the cognitive status and dual task performance of elderly men.