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NCT Number: NCT07655882

Virtual Reality for Walking and Balance in Older Adults

Falls are common in older adults due to aging-related problems with walking (gait) and balance. Virtual Reality (VR) is a new technology that creates interactive video game-like exercises. This study aims to see if VR training works better than traditional physical therapy exercises for improving walking and balance in adults aged 60 years and older who live in the community. Half of the 36 participants will use a VR headset to play movement games, while the other half will do standard exercises like tandem walking. We will measure their walking speed, step length, and balance before and after 4-6 weeks of training.

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This study is active but is not currently recruiting participants.

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Key information

Conditions

Accidental Falls Gait Disorders Mobility Limitation Neurologic Injury Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms Signs and Symptoms

Age range

60 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

The University of Faisalabad

Faisalābad, Punjab Province, 3800, Pakistan

About this study

This is a single-center, parallel-group, randomized controlled trial conducted at Madinah Teaching Hospital, Faisalabad. Participants (N=36) are community-dwelling adults aged >=60 years, ambulatory with or without aids, with no severe cognitive impairment or uncontrolled cardiovascular disease. After baseline assessment (including Image-based modeling using OpenPose software, 6-Meter Walk Test, and Berg Balance Scale), participants are randomly allocated to Group A (VR) or Group B (Control). The VR group uses a head-mounted display (Oculus/Meta type) and a computer screen displaying a 3D world for gait and balance tasks. The control group performs conventional rehabilitation including tandem walking, weight shifts, and postural control exercises on different surfaces. Both interventions are delivered 30-45 minutes per session, 2-3 times per week for 4-6 weeks. The primary outcome is gait (speed and kinematics). The secondary outcome is balance (BBS). Statistical analysis will be performed using IBM SPSS v22.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Community dwelling adults aged >= 60 years.
  • Able to follow instructions.
  • Able to walk with or without an assistive device.
  • Vital signs stable.
  • No severe cognitive impairment.

Exclusion criteria

  • Severe visual or vestibular disorders.
  • Uncontrolled cardiovascular disease.
  • Severe musculoskeletal impairments.
  • Recent major surgery or spinal surgery.

Treatment and study plan

Virtual Reality Headset

Device

Immersive VR system (e.g., Meta Quest 2 or similar) running interactive rehabilitation software. Duration: 30-45 minutes. Frequency: 2-3 times per week. Duration of intervention: 4-6 weeks.

Conventional Gait and Balance Training

Other

Standard physiotherapy protocol including tandem stance, single-leg stance, sit-to-stand, walking over obstacles, and multidirectional weight shifts. Duration: 30-45 minutes. Frequency: 2-3 times per week. Duration: 4-6 weeks.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Gait Speed

    Time frame: Baseline (Week 0) and Post-Intervention (Week 6)

    Gait speed will be measured using the 6-Meter Walk Test (seconds to walk 6 meters) and Image-Based Modeling (OpenPose software analysis of stride length and cadence from iPhone 12 Pro Max video recordings).

  2. Change in Balance

    Time frame: Baseline (Week 0) and Post-Intervention (Week 6)

    Balance will be measured using the Berg Balance Scale (BBS), a 14-item scale scoring from 0 to 56. Higher scores indicate better balance.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Faisalabad

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of Virtual Reality on Gait and Balance in Community Dwelling Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Acronym: VR-GAIT

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Jun 18, 2026
Registry last updated
Jun 18, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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