Interactive Modular Tile Physiotherapy Exergame Intervention for Fall Prevention in Older Adults

Falls and fall related injuries are a major cause of mortality and morbidity in older adults. Approximately a third of individuals over the age of 65 fall every year, with 20-30% of falls resulting in injuries that reduce independence and impair mobility. Considering older adults form a sizeable and increasing proportion of the world's population, falls and fall-related injuries pose a major challenge within society. For older adults, effective fall prevention has the potential to reduce serious fall-related injuries, emergency department visits, hospitalizations, nursing home placements, and functional decline. Game orientated exercise (exergames) represents a potential tool for supporting fall prevention intervention. Exergames are a commonly accepted method of encouraging physical activity, in an effort to promote health. This study investigates the efficacy of a physiotherapeutically designed fall prevention program, utilizing an interactive modular tile (IMT) exergame technology. A combination of objective and subjective measures were evaluated within this study, to assess impact of the exergame intervention on fall risk. The results indicate that IMT-based exergames are a beneficial tool for supporting the provision of fall prevention interventions in older adults. Overall results demonstrated reduced fall risk for the majority of participants, with particular benefits noted in dynamic balance.