Thursday, March 28, 2024

Timer

Video game offers seniors balance therapy

First Published:

[projekktor id=’10397′]

It looks like a video game system, but it’s actually balance therapy. Sensors at the ankle, knee and hip give patients real-time visual feedback when challenged by obstacles on the screen.

“I don’t feel my feet underneath me sometimes, and it causes (my) balance to go.”

Donna Flenz, 63, has diabetes and peripheral neuropathy – a loss of feeling in the feet. Balance is a challenge, and she isn’t alone.

Jane Mohler of the Arizona Center on Aging says it’s a huge issue. “About a third of elders over the age of 65 here fall. It’s not uncommon for someone who falls and breaks their hip to go on to be institutionalized or even to die prematurely.”

U.S. podiatrists like Nicholas Giovinco at the University of Arizona are taking a lead in prevention. “I think that we play a very cruicial role in the identification as well as the treatment for patients at risk of falling.”

“There are many occasions where we will identify a patient who’s at risk of falling before even they do.”

In a first-of-its-kind study, University of Arizona researchers tested the virtual reality balance therapy on 29 diabetes patients with neuropathy and a history of falling. After only four weeks they found the interactive program was effective.

Bijan Najafi is one of the researchers. “We saw an increase of more than 35 per cent in improving balance and almost 20 per cent improvement of the gait velocity and gait stability.”

Flenz says she’s improved immensely. “I can play again with my dogs. I feel as though it’s improved my lifestyle.”

Researchers are now working on a home version of this virtual reality balance training program. They expect it will hit the market in another two years.

More Top News

Date set for inquest into death of man during Halton police shootout in 2018

A provincial coroner has set a date for an inquest into a man's death after a shootout with Halton police almost six years ago. Ahmadu...

Newsmakers: Preparing for the 2024 total solar eclipse with amateur astronomer Mario Carr

VIDEO: On this episode of Newsmakers, host Louie Butko is joined by "your favourite amateur astronomer" Mario Carr ahead of the total solar eclipse...

Sportsline: Hamilton Cardinals game-day host Emily Thompson

VIDEO: The role of the "in-game host" has become an important piece of the entertainment package that teams are selling to fans. On this...

St. Catharines man charged with 1st-degree murder in death of parents

A man is facing first-degree murder charges in connection with the death of his parents at a home in St. Catharines Monday afternoon. Emergency crews...

Ontario minimum wage to increase Oct. 1 to $17.20 an hour

Ontario's minimum wage will rise later this year to $17.20 an hour. The annual Oct. 1 increase is tied to inflation and is a boost...

Over 300K public sector workers earn more than $100K; OPG CEO tops the list

The five top paid public employees in the province are all at Ontario Power Generation, with the CEO earning $1.9 million last year. The so-called...

Help save a child’s life by becoming a registered organ donor

Next month is National Organ and Tissue Donation Awareness month and the work continues to raise awareness. That's why the David Foster Foundation is...