Virtual reality to improve movement in older adults with psychomotor disadaptation syndrome

The Value of Virtual Reality in the Care of Elderly People With Psychomotor Disadaptation Syndrome: a Randomised Controlled Trial of Mixed Efficacy and Implementation vs. Conventional Rehabilitative Care

Not applicable Interventional Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Dijon · NCT07026890

This project will test whether adding virtual reality sessions to regular rehabilitation helps hospitalized people aged 65 and older with psychomotor disadaptation improve balance, walking, and everyday movement.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment50 (estimated)
Ages65 Years and up
SexAll
SponsorCentre Hospitalier Universitaire Dijon Academic / other
Locations1 site (Dijon)
Trial IDNCT07026890 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

Psychomotor disadaptation syndrome causes deterioration in posture, gait, and automatic motor skills in older adults and often requires inpatient geriatric rehabilitation. Participants hospitalized in a geriatric unit receive standard multidisciplinary care (physiotherapy, occupational therapy, adapted physical activity) with additional immersive virtual reality sessions designed to reproduce real-life movement tasks. Clinical evaluations including the Timed Up and Go (TUG) are performed within 7 days of admission and at follow-up to measure changes in mobility and functional independence. The intervention aims to make repetitive exercises more engaging by using simulated everyday scenarios to practice safe movement and reduce fall risk.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are people aged 65 or older with a confirmed diagnosis of psychomotor disadaptation who are hospitalized in a geriatric care unit, can give consent, understand simple instructions, and can complete the Timed Up and Go test within 7 days of admission.

Not a fit: Patients unlikely to benefit include those with epilepsy, severe visual or hearing impairment, severe walking or behavioral problems, kinetosis or claustrophobia, or those unable to give informed consent or participate in motor exercises.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, adding virtual reality could improve balance and gait, reduce fall risk, and speed recovery of safe, independent movement for affected older adults.

How similar studies have performed: Similar virtual reality rehabilitation programs for older adults have shown promise in improving balance and gait, though results are mixed and specific evidence in psychomotor disadaptation syndrome is limited.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Person who has given written consent
* Person aged ≥ 65 years;
* With a proven diagnosis of motor maladjustment syndrome;
* Hospitalised in a geriatric care unit;
* Able to understand a simple instruction and answer a closed question;
* Ability to perform the TUG within 7 days of arriving on site

Exclusion Criteria:

* Person not affiliated to or not benefiting from a social security scheme
* Person subject to a legal protection measure (curatorship, guardianship)
* Person subject to a judicial protection measure
* An adult who is incapable or unable to give consent
* Persons with epilepsy, kinetosis or known claustrophobia Persons unable to understand simple instructions for carrying out tests
* Anyone with a severe visual and/or hearing impairment
* Any person with a behavioural disorder (agitation, aggressiveness)
* Any person with a severe walking or balance problem that makes motor exercises unsuitable
* Anyone with a pathology, injury, wound or severe deformity to the head or cervical spine
* Any person suffering from severe vertigo, diagnosed at the discretion of the investigating doctor
* Inability to use arm for pointing
* Persons susceptible to migraines
* Non-French speakers
* Anyone with an inter-pupillary distance outside the range of possible helmet adjustments

Where this trial is running

Dijon

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Psychomotor Disadaptation Syndrome
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.