The effect of virtual reality based cognitive-motor training on psychophysiological parameters and balance function in the elderly

Background. Balance dysfunction is one of the most common problems in older people. Research shows that response time to visual and auditory stimuli is an indicator of inhibition processes that play a critical role in maintaining balance in the elderly, and time reaction tests can predict the risk of falls in the elderly. One of the advantages of virtual reality technology is the ability to implement cognitive-motor training. It is considered that training in a virtual environment helps to improve the reaction to a rapid change of environment, attention, space-time memory, and planning, which has a beneficial effect on postural functions. Nevertheless, the effect of training in a virtual environment on neurodynamic processes has not been sufficiently studied.

Aims: to study the status and dynamics of psychophysiological indicators and their relationship with the balance function after cognitive-motor training in a virtual environment in patients with CCI.

Methods. The study involved 24 people. The experimental group included 14 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of chronic cerebral ischemia. A group of 10 healthy volunteers were tested on the UPFT-1/30 «Psychophysiologist» system. Patients included in the experimental group were tested using clinical scales (the Berg balance assessment scale and the MOCA scale) and instrumental assessment on UPFT-1/30 «Psychophysiologist». All patients underwent cognitive-motor training on the «Rehabunculus» virtual reality system (Russia), aimed at restoring the balance function.

Results. After the course of cognitive-motor training in a virtual environment, the patients showed a significant (p=0.01) improvement in the balance functions, assessed by the Berg Balance Scale, as well as a decrease in the number of errors and an improvement in the stability of visual-motor reaction test. In addition, a negative correlation was found between the median response time and the balance function on the Berg scale (r=-0.715).

Conclusions. The speed of reaction to a visual stimulus can serve as markers of the adaptation processes of the nervous system to cognitive-motor training in virtual environment, which, in turn, have a positive effect on balance function.