Applicability, safety and acceptability of the IRES (Immersive Rehabilitation System) for motor and cognitive training of elderly

• Grant number: 18/00505-9
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): June 01, 2018
• Effective date (End): May 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy
• Principal researcher: José Eduardo Pompeu
• Grantee: Beatriz Caruso Soares
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Medicina (FM). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The world is undergoing a process of population aging, generating an increased prevalence of chronic and degenerative diseases. Among the several affected systems, motor and cognitive systems may be affected, generating the possibility of falls and loss of autonomy. Recent studies show that training cognitive-motor can promote improvement in both the postural control and cognition of the elderly. Virtual reality has been used as a tool for cognitive-motor training with positive results in this population. However, most of the systems used were not designed specifically for people with motor and cognitive changes, making the applicability of virtual reality in these cases. In this way, it was developed the Immersive Rehabilitation System (iRES), designed especially for individuals with motor and cognitive changes, which consists in the use of immersive virtual reality glasses synched with a sensor infrared movement. The goal of this project is to analyze the applicability, security, and acceptability of iRES for the elderly. Will be recruited 10 people, half men and half women, aged between 60 and 80 years, without neurological deficits. The applicability will be evaluated through questionnaires on the use of technology and discomfort prior to the immersive virtual environment. Security will be investigated through the occurrence of any adverse events. The acceptability will be evaluated by means of a questionnaire on the approval of iRES. A descriptive analysis of the results will be made by using mean, standard deviation, 95% confidence interval and absolute and relative number of occurrence of adverse events and frequency of responses to the questionnaires. (AU)