Researchers at CAMERA are investigating VR technology to help improve balance and prevent falls.

As people grow older, losing balance and falling becomes more common, which increases the risk of injury and affects the person’s independence.

Falls are the leading cause of non-fatal injuries in over 65-yearolds and account for over 4 million bed days per year in England alone, at an estimated cost of ?2 billion.

Humans use three ways of keeping their balance: vision, proprioceptive (physical feedback from muscles and joints) and vestibular system (feedback from semi-circular canals in the ear). Of these, vision is the most important.

Traditional ways of assessing balance include patient surveys and physical tests such as using a treadmill or testing agility when performing specific movements or exercises.

However, the accuracy of these tests can be affected by age, sex and motivation, and the movements measured aren’t necessarily reflective of real-life scenarios.

Story Source: Materials provided by University of Bath. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.