The Effect of Virtual Reality–Based Exercises on Balance Control and Fall Risk Reduction in Iranian Older Adults: A Systematic Review

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

1 Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, Nursing and Midwifery Care Research Center, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

2 Ph.D, Student in Nursing, Student Research Committee, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran

10.22038/nnj.2025.91435.1517

Abstract

Background and Aims: With the growing elderly population in Iran, falls have become a major public health challenge. Falls not only cause physical injuries and disability but also reduce independence, impair quality of life, and impose high costs on the healthcare system. Therefore, identifying innovative strategies to prevent falls is of great importance. Virtual reality–based exercises provide a safe, engaging, and motivating environment that encourages older adults to participate in physical activities. This study aimed to review and synthesize the existing evidence on the effectiveness of virtual reality exercises on balance control and fall risk reduction in Iranian older adults.
Materials and Methods: A systematic search was conducted in national and international databases, including SID, Magiran, IranMedex, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar, up to 2024. Inclusion criteria comprised experimental and quasi-experimental studies focusing on virtual reality interventions for the Iranian elderly. Ultimately, 14 eligible studies were included, and their findings were analyzed qualitatively based on intervention type and outcomes.
Results: The results indicated that virtual reality exercises significantly improved static and dynamic balance, postural sway indices, functional mobility, and quality of life, and in some studies reduced fear of falling and fall risk. Combined interventions (virtual reality plus conventional exercises) showed greater effectiveness than single interventions.
Conclusion: Virtual reality–based exercises appear to be an innovative and effective approach for enhancing balance and preventing falls among Iranian older adults and can be incorporated effectively into routine rehabilitation programs.

Keywords

References

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Navid No
Volume 28, Issue 96
March 2026
Pages 62-75

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