JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Virtual reality (VR) is a promising and cost-effective tool for rehabilitation that has potential to reduce risk of falls and mobility restriction. However, we argue that existing VR-based approaches to reducing fall-risk overlook the full breadth of perceptual, cognitive and motor task demands that older adults’ encounter in daily life, and also how these demands are influenced by emotional factors realting to fear of falling. In this perspective, we propose that VR offers an opportunity to ‘Reverse Translate’ the cognitive, perceptual, and emotional factors involved in everyday mobility and contribute to our theoretical understanding of underlying mechanisms. Using VR to bridge basic science and applied/holistic approaches could help to inform the design of evidence-based diagnostics and training programs that help improve motor function and prevent falls in older adults.