Postural control of elderly people after a program of prevention of falls with cognitive stimulation and health education: use of virtual reality

• Grant number: 17/00521-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): December 01, 2017
• Effective date (End): November 30, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Interdisciplinary Subjects
• Principal Investigator: Karina Gramani Say
• Grantee: Anna Julya Viana
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Biológicas e da Saúde (CCBS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

In recent decades, population aging has been a worldwide phenomenon. In this way, new demands began to arise in relation to the population aged 60 or over in Brazil. Due to this process, numerous physical and cognitive declines affect this population range and, thus, considerably increase the risk of falls and injuries as a consequence of these. Therefore, the creation of a fall prevention program for the elderly, aiming at both physical aspects and cognitive aspects is necessary. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the postural control of the elderly participants of a fall prevention program with cognitive stimulation and health education in the city of São Carlos, using Virtual Reality as an evaluation method. METHODS: Participants in the fall prevention program will be divided into two groups: cognitive intervention (GIC) and control group with health education (GCES), the intervention groups being offered cognitive activities in association with physical activities and the intervention group offered activities of Education and health and physical activities. They will be evaluated before and after 16 intervention sessions. This is a cross-sectional and descriptive study. During the test, the actions of bipodal, tandem, semi-tandem, open-eye or closed-eye on a stable surface will be requested. In the test, the Mini Mental Examination (MMSE) and Track A and B instruments will be used for cognitive screening. Unstable, in addition to the realization of two games in Virtual Reality (VR). For the evaluation of the postural control, a force platform (BERTEC Mod) will be used to capture the variables of the Pressure Center: area (cm²), average amplitude of oscillation (cm), average speed of oscillation (cm / s) And frequency of mid-lateral (Hz) (ML) and anteroposterior (AP) forces. A collection frequency of 100Hz / channel will be used. The CP data were collected and stored for further processing in Matlab (Version 7.0) with Butterworth filter and 5Hz cut-off frequency. In statistical analysis, normality will be verified by the Shapiro-Wilks test. And later the intergroup statistical analysis (cognitive intervention and health education) and intragroup analysis (before and after interventions). For the intergroup analysis for the non-parametric data, mann whitney was used, and for the parametric variables the t test. The level of significance is p d 0.05. EXPECTED RESULTS: It is expected that the fall prevention program with cognitive stimulation has a positive influence on the postural control and cognition of the participants, and in the end it is possible a greater understanding of the mechanisms involved for the postural adjustment in the elderly, being able to act More efficiently for the reduction of the rate of falls in the elderly (AU)