Researchers study use of virtual reality for rehabilitation

Researchers at Augusta University and Istituto Auxologico Italiano in Milan, Italy, are investigating the benefits of treating elderly patients with virtual reality in their latest study.

Dr. Gianluca De Leo, chair of the Department of Clinical and Digital Health Sciences, Dr. Giuseppe Riva, head researcher at Istituto Auxologico Italiano, and Dr. Marco Stramba-Badiale, director of geriatrics at Istituto Auxologico Italiano, are leading the study that will evaluate how virtual reality compares to traditional occupational therapy for treating elderly patients with frailty.

Frailty is a common condition in the elderly that causes the loss of cognitive and motor skills.

The study is funded by a grant from the Italian Ministry of Health.