International Journal of Drug Delivery Technology · Jun 19, 2026
Effectiveness of Technology-based Rehabilitation for Balance Issues in Elderly Population: A Systematic Review
By Shah R, Kumar S
Introduction: Falls are a leading cause of injury and reduced quality of life among the elderly. Over 30% of individuals aged 65+ fall each year, and recurrence rates are high. Age-related conditions like sarcopenia, osteoporosis, obesity, and cognitive impairments increase fall risk. Exercise therapy has proven effective in improving balance and reducing falls, and innovative technologies like Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Wii-Fit, and exergaming offer engaging, interactive alternatives to conventional therapy. Method: This systematic review followed PRISMA guidelines and included 19 primary studies (18 RCTs, 1 Pre-Post Analysis) involving 1088 participants aged 65+, assessing outcomes using the Berg Balance Scale, Timed Up and Go Test, and Fall Efficacy Scale. Results: The review of 19 studies (18 RCTs, 1 Pre-Post Analysis) involving 1088 participants revealed that technological interventions significantly improved balance and mobility, as evidenced by changes in BBS and TUG scores. Enhanced user engagement and cognitive function were also indicated in some studies. Technologies such as Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, force plate systems, biofeedback, sensory visual feedback, and kinetic exergaming proved beneficial. Conclusion: technology-based balance training offers a promising method for fall prevention in older adults, with potential for user-friendliness and cost-effectiveness, while yielding measurable improvements in physical outcomes, and in some instances, cognitive engagement. This review consolidates recent evidence, demonstrating the specific contexts and technologies where this approach offers a robust alternative or complement to traditional physiotherapy, particularly by synthesizing outcomes across specific validated scales.