Effectiveness of Virtual Reality in Balance Training for Fall Prevention in Older Adults: Systematic Review.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) in balance training for the prevention of falls in older adults.

Methods: We included studies with experimental designs, cohort studies, and quasi-experimental studies of older adults who underwent balance training associated with the use of VR for the prevention of falls. The comparison of control and intervention groups in the studies reported statistically significant improvements in terms of balance for VR.

Colombian Stakeholder Perceptions and Recommendations Regarding Fall Detection Systems for Older Adults.

This study aimed to analyze perceptions and recommendations from stakeholders on the effectiveness of fall detection systems for older adults, aside from any additional technological solutions they may use within their activities of daily living (ADLs). This study performed a mixed-method approach to explore the views and recommendations of stakeholders concerning the implementation of wearable fall detection systems. Semi-structured online interviews and surveys were conducted on 25 Colombian adults classified into four stakeholder groups: older adults, informal caregivers, healthcare professionals, and researchers.

Dynamic analysis of forces in the lumbar spine during bag carrying.

Objective: The intervertebral disc supports axial and shear forces generated during tasks such as lifting and carrying weights. The objective of this study was to determine the forces in the lumbar spine of workers carrying a bag on the head, on the shoulder and on the anterior part of the trunk.

Methods: Kinematic measurements were recorded for 10 subjects carrying bags of 10, 20 and 25 kg on each of the three aforementioned positions.

A finite element model of the L4-L5-S1 human spine segment including the heterogeneity and anisotropy of the discs.

With the aim to study disc degeneration and the risk of injury during occupational activities, a new finite element (FE) model of the L4-L5-S1 segment of the human spine was developed based on the anthropometry of a typical Colombian worker. Beginning with medical images, the programs CATIA and SOLIDWORKS were used to generate and assemble the vertebrae and create the soft structures of the segment. The software ABAQUS was used to run the analyses, which included a detailed model calibration using the experimental step-wise reduction data for the L4-L5 component, while the L5-S1 segment was calibrated in the intact condition.