THE USE OF VIRTUAL REALITY (VR) IN GERIATRICS: A MODERN APPROACH TO FALL PREVENTION AND POST-TRAUMATIC REHABILITATION

Magdalena Lisik; Urszula Majda; Magdalena Mida; Julia Stołtny; Julia Kwiecień; Witold Kimla; Magdalena Michalik; Anna Maruszak; Natalia Hajok; Justyna Goryczka

doi:10.31435/ijitss.1(49).2026.5038

Authors

Magdalena Lisik Szpital Grochowski im. dr med. Rafała Masztaka SPZOZ, Warsaw, Mazovia, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0000-6196-3386
Urszula Majda Jędrzej Śniadecki Specialist Hospital in Nowy Sącz, Nowy Sącz, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0001-5144-2883
Magdalena Mida Sosnowiecki Szpital Miejski sp. z o.o. w restrukturyzacji, Sosnowiec, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0006-2815-6893
Julia Stołtny Zagłębie Clinical Hospital in Czeladź, Czeladź, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0008-0162-1809
Julia Kwiecień Szpital Miejski w Rudzie Śląskiej Sp. z o.o., Ruda Śląska, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0009-2458-3224
Witold Kimla Szpital Powiatowy w Chrzanowie, Chrzanów, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0001-0695-9541
Magdalena Michalik Hospital of the Brothers Hospitallers of Saint John of God, Cracow, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0003-6463-0802
Anna Maruszak American Heart of Poland S.A., Ustroń, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0009-2871-8800
Natalia Hajok Indywidualna Praktyka Lekarska, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0003-5305-6075
Justyna Goryczka Szpital Powiatowy w Chrzanowie, Chrzanów, Poland https://orcid.org/0009-0004-4660-8318

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.31435/ijitss.1(49).2026.5038

Keywords:

Virtual Reality, Geriatrics, Fall Prevention, Rehabilitation

Abstract

Objectives: This study evaluates the efficacy of Virtual Reality (VR) as a multimodal intervention in geriatric care, specifically addressing primary fall prevention and post-traumatic recovery. Methods: A systematic scoping review was conducted, synthesizing cross-disciplinary literature (2010–2024) to assess the translational potential of VR tools from neurology and sports medicine into geriatric protocols. Key Findings: VR-based interventions effectively resolve the "safety-intensity paradox," enabling high-challenge balance training without physical risk. Integration of real-time biofeedback and gamification significantly reduces kinesiophobia (fear of falling) and increases therapeutic adherence. Data suggests VR-integrated treadmill training can reduce fall rates by up to 42%. Conclusions: VR represents a shift toward active recovery models. Successful implementation in healthcare systems, particularly in Poland, requires addressing cognitive barriers (dementia), reducing the digital divide, and establishing cost-benefit frameworks for home-based telerehabilitation.

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