Abstract Virtual reality therapy (VRT) has clinical indications in rehabilitation programs for the elderly; however, there is still no consensus on the recovery of body balance. The objective of this review was to summarize the effects of physical therapy interventions with VRT in the rehabilitation of balance in the elderly. The studies were identified via a systematic search in the databases PubMed, SciELO, LILACS and PEDro from 2010 onward. Clinical trials with interventions that involved VRT in the elderly were included in the study and were subjected to methodological quality analysis using the PEDro scale. A random effects meta-analysis of the studies that analyzed balance using the Berg Balance Scale and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test was performed. Ten articles met the inclusion criteria, which presented variability in relation to the types of interventions used (70%) and the outcomes analyzed (60%). The mean duration of the interventions was 13.90 (± 5.08) weeks, with at least two weekly sessions (± 0.73). There were positive results in relation to improvements in both dynamic and static balance (70% of the studies), mobility (80%), flexibility (30%), gait (20%) and fall prevention (20%). A summary of the meta-analysis showed mean effects on the Berg scale (standardized mean difference [SMD]: −0.848; 95% CI: −1.161; −0.535) and the TUG test (SMD: 0. 894; 95% CI: 0.341; 1.447). Individually, virtual reality is promising in rehabilitation programs for the elderly. The overall measures were sufficient to show beneficial effects of the therapy on balance in the elderly.

Resumo Introdução: A incapacidade funcional é importante indicador de saúde, associada a pior qualidade de vida. Objetivo: Estimar a prevalência de incapacidade funcional para mobilidade e identificar os fatores associados à dificuldade de subir e descer escadas em adultos de 40 anos ou mais. Metódos: Estudo transversal, de base populacional, com residentes no Município de Cambé-PR, entrevistados em 2011. A variável dependente foi a dificuldade de subir e descer escadas. A análise de fatores associados foi realizada por meio da regressão de Poisson, para cada subgrupo etário (40 a 59 anos e 60 anos ou mais). Resultados: No total, 24% referiram alguma dificuldade para subir e descer escadas (p < 0,01). Em ambos os subgrupos, observaram-se prevalências significativamente mais elevadas em mulheres, entre os inativos no lazer e naqueles com histórico de doença cerebrovascular. No subgrupo com idade entre 40 e 59 anos, associaram-se também ao desfecho a faixa etária de 50 a 59 anos, a hipertensão arterial, o diabetes e queda nos últimos 12 meses. Conclusão: Os resultados apontam a necessidade de ampliar as ações de promoção da saúde e de prevenção e controle das condições crônicas, principalmente entre não idosos.

Abstract Introduction: Functional disability is an important health indicator associated with worse quality of life. Objective: To estimate the prevalence of functional disability for mobility and to identify factors associated with difficulty going up and down stairs in adults aged 40 years or over. Methods: Cross-sectional, population-based study, with residents of the Municipality of Cambé, PR, interviewed in 2011. The dependent variable was the difficulty of going up and down stairs. Analysis of associated factors was performed using Poisson regression for each subgroup (40 - 59 years and 60 years or older). Results: In total, 24% of the subjects presented some kind of difficulty going up stairs (p < .01). In both subgroups, a significantly higher prevalence in women, among those inactive during leisure time and those with a history of cerebrovascular disease was observed. In the subgroup aged 40 to 59 years, age 50 - 59 years, hypertension, diabetes and falls in the previous 12 months were also associated with the outcome. Conclusion: The results suggest the need to expand the actions of health promotion, prevention and control of chronic conditions, especially among middle-aged people.