Exergaming and Virtual Reality for Balance

How game-based and virtual-reality training deliver engaging, feedback-rich balance practice.

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Research consistently shows…

Exergames and virtual-reality systems turn balance training into interactive games with real-time feedback and progressive challenge. Reviews report improvements in balance, mobility, and physical function, often comparable to conventional training, with the added benefit of higher engagement. Games should still deliver genuine balance challenge and be used safely, ideally with supervision for higher-risk users.

2–3×/week, 20–45 min, ≥6–12 weeks Console/VR system with balance games all levels home or clinic

balancefall preventionmobilityhealthy agingolder adultsgeneral adultsbeginners

Common misconceptions

'Video games can't be real exercise' (well-designed exergames deliver genuine balance challenge)
'VR always beats normal training' (effects are often similar, with engagement the main edge)

What we won't claim

Does not guarantee prevention of any fall or injury
Not a substitute for medical evaluation of dizziness, syncope, or unexplained falls
Game scores are not validated clinical measures

When to seek a professional

Two or more falls in the past 12 months, or any fall with injury
Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting during standing or movement
New or worsening unsteadiness, neurological symptoms, or numbness in the feet
Fear of falling severe enough to restrict daily activity
Motion sickness, dizziness, or disorientation during VR use

Key sources (5), grade mix A:5 · B:0 · C:0

66 supporting studies inform this block; the key sources below are shown with their individual grades and DOI links. This is the audit trail.

AShi-kun Zhang, Guoping Qian, Hong Xu, Mei-ling Gu, Su-jie Mao, YanAn Wang, Yuqing Zhang, Wensheng Zhou (2025) · BMC Geriatrics · 10.1186/s12877-025-06212-0

AYan Chen, Yuan-Su Zhang, Zhenxiang Guo, D. Bao, Junhong Zhou (2021) · Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation · 10.1186/s12984-021-00917-0

AR. Tahmosybayat, K. Baker, A. Godfrey, N. Caplan, G. Barry (2018) · Maturitas · 10.1016/j.maturitas.2018.03.005

AB. Cieślik, Adam Wrzeciono, J. Mazurek, S. Federico, J. Szczepańska-Gieracha, P. Kiper (2024) · Games for Health Journal · 10.1089/g4h.2023.0109

APeter Fermin Dajime, Heather Smith, Yanxin Zhang (2022) · IEEE Transactions on Games · 10.1109/tg.2021.3139036

✓Explore all 718 studies in Neuromotor (Balance/Agility/Coordination) →

The full evidence base this focus area draws on, every study with its grade and DOI.