Research Square · Oct 13, 2026
Regardless of Age, Locomotor Habituation is Observed with Exposure to Virtually- Induced Fall-Related Anxiety
By Poretti K, Sanders Q, Peixoto N et al.
Background Up to 60% of older adults experience fall-related anxiety, which can increase fall risk. Virtual high elevations induce fall-related anxiety that diminishes with time, offering a means for emotional and motor habituation. Age-related gait habituation differences observed in other environments might also appear in virtual anxiety-inducing settings. The purpose of this study is to determine age-related gait habituation differences across time and repeated immersion in virtual anxiety-inducing settings. Methods Participants ( N = 30, 14 older adults) experienced four walking trials: one minute at virtual low elevations (ground), five minutes (I1) at virtual high elevations (~15m), one minute at virtual low elevation, five minutes (I2) at virtual high elevations. Steady state gait parameters from the first (T1) and last (T2) six steady state steps were analyzed. Results Both age groups habituated similarly, walking with longer steps over time at low [ F = 10.25, p = .001] and high [ F = 83.78, p < .001] elevations. In I1, both groups walked with longer , (F = 15.50, p < .001), faster ( F = 7.05, p = .013) steps at T2 versus T1. Both groups walked with longer ( F = 21.17, p < .001), faster ( F = 16.50, p < .001) steps at T1 of I2 versus T1 of I1. Conclusion Young and older adults similarly habituated gait and showed savings of habituated motor patterns specific to virtual anxiety-inducing settings. Our results provide evidence supporting the potential use of the VR paradigm as a habituation intervention to reduce fall-related anxiety in older adults.