Sanal Gerçeklik Destekli Aerobik Egzersizlerin Yaşlılarda Denge Performansı ve Teknolojiye Karşı Tutum Üzerine Etkisi: Randomize Kontrollü Pilot Çalışma

Öz

Bu pilot randomize kontrollü çalışma, sanal gerçeklik (VR) destekli aerobik egzersizin yaşlı yetişkinlerde teknolojiye yönelik tutumlar, denge performansı ve kardiyak otonom fonksiyon üzerindeki etkilerini araştırmayı amaçlamıştır. Toplumda yaşayan 22 yaşlı yetişkin (ortalama yaş 73,4 ± 5,6 yıl), rastgele olarak sanal gerçeklik grubuna (VRG, n=12) veya kontrol grubuna (CG, n=10) atanmıştır. Her iki grup da 6 hafta boyunca haftada iki kez, seans başına 30 dakika süren denetimli aerobik egzersiz programını tamamlamıştır. VRG grubu, her aerobik seansın hemen ardından başa takılan bir ekran kullanarak 10 dakika daha VR denge oyunları (Beat Saber, Tai Chi VR, FitXR) oynamıştır. Sonuç ölçütleri arasında Teknolojiye Yönelik Tutum Ölçeği (teknoloji coşkusu ve teknoloji kaygısı alt ölçekleri), Berg Denge Ölçeği (BBS), dinlenme kalp hızı ve egzersiz sırasındaki en yüksek kalp hızı yer almıştır. Değerlendirmeler başlangıçta ve müdahale sonrası yapılmıştır. Gruplar arası karşılaştırmalar Mann-Whitney U testi kullanılarak analiz edildi. VRG, kontrollere kıyasla teknolojiye olan ilgide anlamlı derecede daha büyük iyileşmeler (Δ=5,1±1,4 vs. 1,6±2,4, p=0.002) ve teknoloji kaygısında azalmalar (Δ=-2,5±1,5 vs. 2,0±1.3, p=0,001) gösterdi. VRG'de dinlenme kalp hızı anlamlı derecede azaldı (Δ=-4,6±2,1 vs. -1,9±1,2, p=0,004), egzersiz sırasındaki en yüksek kalp hızı ise anlamlı derecede arttı (Δ=8,5±3,3 vs. 0,1±6,7, p=0,003). Denge puanları VRG grubunda daha fazla iyileşme gösterdi (Δ=5,1±2,1'e karşı 2,9±2,9), ancak gruplar arası fark istatistiksel olarak anlamlı değildi (p=0,063). Katılımcı geri bildirimleri yüksek kabul edilebilirlik gösterdi; %91,7'si keyif aldığını ve fayda gördüğünü, %100'ü ise VR'ı tekrar kullanmaya istekli olduğunu belirtti. Bu bulgular, VR destekli aerobik egzersizin yaşlı yetişkinlerde teknolojiyle ilgili tutumları ve kardiyak otonom fonksiyonu olumlu yönde etkilediğini, aynı zamanda uygulanabilirliğini ve kabul edilebilirliğini gösterdiğini düşündürmektedir. Potansiyel denge iyileşmelerini doğrulamak için daha büyük örneklem grupları ve daha uzun müdahale süreleri ile daha fazla araştırmaya ihtiyaç vardır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Sanal gerçeklik
• Yaşlı
• Denge
• Aerobik egzersiz
• Teknoloji tutumu

Destekleyen Kurum

Yazarlar bu çalışmanın herhangi bir finansal destek almadığını beyan etmişlerdir.

Teşekkür

Çalışmaya gönüllü olarak katılan bireylere teşekkür ederiz.

The Effect of Virtual Reality-Supported Aerobic Exercises on Balance Performance and Attitudes Toward Technology in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Pilot Study

Öz

This pilot randomized controlled study aimed to investigate the effects of virtual reality (VR)-supported aerobic exercise on technology attitudes, balance performance, and cardiac autonomic function in older adults. Twenty-two community-dwelling older adults (mean age 73.4 ± 5.6 years) were randomly assigned to either a virtual reality group (VRG, n=12) or a control group (CG, n=10). Both groups completed a 6-week, twice-weekly supervised aerobic exercise programme lasting 30 minutes per session. The VRG performed an additional 10 minutes of VR balance games (Beat Saber, Tai Chi VR, FitXR) using a head-mounted display immediately following each aerobic session. Outcome measures included the Attitudes Towards Technology Scale (techno-enthusiasm and techno-anxiety subscales), Berg Balance Scale (BBS), resting heart rate, and peak heart rate during exercise. Assessments were conducted at baseline and post-intervention. Between-group comparisons were analysed using the Mann-Whitney U test. The VRG demonstrated significantly greater improvements in techno-enthusiasm (Δ=5.1±1.4 vs. 1.6±2.4, p=0.002) and reductions in techno-anxiety (Δ=-2.5±1.5 vs. 2.0±1.3, p=0.001) compared to controls. Resting heart rate significantly decreased in the VRG (Δ=-4.6±2.1 vs. -1.9±1.2, p=0.004), while peak heart rate during exercise significantly increased (Δ=8.5±3.3 vs. 0.1±6.7, p=0.003). Balance scores improved more in the VRG (Δ=5.1±2.1 vs. 2.9±2.9), but the between-group difference did not reach statistical significance (p=0.063). Participant feedback revealed high acceptability, with 91.7% reporting enjoyment and perceived benefits, and 100% expressing willingness to reuse VR. These findings suggest that VR-enhanced aerobic exercise positively influences technology-related attitudes and cardiac autonomic function in older adults, while demonstrating feasibility and acceptability. Further research with larger samples and longer intervention periods is needed to confirm potential balance improvements.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Virtual reality
• Elderly
• Balance
• Aerobic exercise
• Technology attitude

Destekleyen Kurum

The authors declared that this study has received no financial support

Teşekkür

We thank the individuals who volunteered to participate in the study.

Kaynakça

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