Cardiovascular response and safety of virtual reality exergame in acute geriatric ward

Melinda Harini; Widjajalaksmi Kusumaningsih; Prasandhya Astagiri Yusuf; Kuntjoro Harimurti; Martina Wiwie Setiawan Nasrun; Alida Rowsita Harahap; Irma Ruslina Defi; Satyanaya Widyaningrum; Luthfi Saiful Arif; Arierta Pujitresnani; Boya Nugraha

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Cardiovascular response and safety of virtual reality exergame in acute geriatric ward

Author: Melinda Harini ¹ ; Widjajalaksmi Kusumaningsih ² ; Prasandhya Astagiri Yusuf ³ ; Kuntjoro Harimurti ⁴ ; Martina Wiwie Setiawan Nasrun ⁵ ; Alida Rowsita Harahap ⁶ ; Irma Ruslina Defi ⁷ ; Satyanaya Widyaningrum ² ; Luthfi Saiful Arif ³ ; Arierta Pujitresnani ⁸ ; Boya Nugraha ⁹
Author Information

1. Doctoral Program in Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia; Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia
2. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia
3. Department of Medical Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia; Medical Technology, Indonesian Medical Education and Research Institute (IMERI), Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
4. Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Cipto Mangunkusumo Hospital, Jakarta, Indonesia
5. Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
6. Doctoral Program in Medical Science, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia
7. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Padjadjaran, Hasan Sadikin Hospital, Bandung, Indonesia
8. Department of Medical Physiology and Biophysics, Faculty of Medicine, Universitas Indonesia, Jakarta, Indonesia; Medical Technology, Indonesian Medical Education and Research Institute (IMERI), Faculty of Medicine
9. Department of Rehabilitation and Sports Medicine, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany; Hannover Rehabilitation Services and Science Consulting, Hannover, Germany
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: elderly; exergames; heart rate; virtual reality
MeSH: elderly; exergames; heart rate; virtual reality
From: Medical Journal of Indonesia 2026;35(2):99-106
CountryIndonesia
Language:English
Abstract: BACKGROUND :Exergames have been proven to effectively improve physical function, particularly in the elderly. Although, older adults were once considered a low-tech population, tailored exergame interventions have proven beneficial. However, utilizing virtual reality (VR) in group presents challenges related to both cognitive acceptance and cardiovascular tolerance. This study aimed to evaluate cardiovascular responses, safety, and exercise intensity or VR-based exergaming in an acute care setting and to explore what to consider when giving exergames to subjects with high comorbidity.
METHODS :This pre-post study used the Oculus Meta Quest 2® platform in 32 elderly participants. Each completed a single exergame session. Pre- and post-session assessments included measurements of heart rate (HR), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). Cardiopulmonary sentinel signs were monitored thoroughly.
RESULTS :Post-exergame HR was significantly higher than baseline (82 [18] beats per minute [bpm] versus 79 [17] bpm; p = 0.004; mean difference: 4 [8] bpm). Blood pressure decreased slightly, but not significantly (SBP: −1 [14] mmHg, p = 0.837; DBP: 0 [12] mmHg, p = 0.829). Most participants experienced light-intensity activities (n = 26, 81%). No sentinel events occurred.
CONCLUSIONS :A single session of VR exergaming safely increased HR above baseline in elderly participants, with activity predominantly classified as light intensity. Further studies should explore the determinants of exergame intensity to optimize prescriptions and tailoring.
Full text:202610151221347788835-2-8209-Melinda-Harini_xmp.pdf