Abstract
Background
Demographic change is increasing the proportion of older individuals in society, which also heightens the risk of accidents, particularly in road traffic. Virtual reality (VR) applications offer innovative opportunities to promote mobility, safety, and accident prevention among older adults through engaging and safe training environments.
Objective
This study examined the effects of a VR-based training program (Wegfest) on functional mobility, subjective safety, and accident prevention in older adults. It also explored connections to the digital transformation in health professions education and practice.
Methods
In a VR intervention study, older adults completed eight training sessions in a simulated traffic environment. Assessments included the Timed Up and Go Test (mobility), the Falls Efficacy Scale – International (FES-I), the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), subjective sense of safety, and the number of collisions in the VR setting. Pre-post comparisons were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests.
Results
The training led to significant improvements in mobility (p = .002; d = 0.784) and a reduction in fear of falling (p = .005). Subjective safety increased significantly (p < .001), while collision frequency decreased (p < .001). Cognitive performance remained stable (p = .56). These results indicate that VR training can enhance both objective and subjective aspects of accident prevention.
Conclusion
VR-based training represents a promising tool to support mobility and safety in older adults. In the context of digital transformation, programs like Wegfest offer valuable potential for patient-centered care and professional training, while also fostering digital literacy among healthcare professionals and older users.