Analysis of brain activity in the frontal lobes of young adults and elderly during immersion in virtual environment.
Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy, EEG, Physiotherapy.
Introduction: During the aging process, there are physiological changes that promote a less efficient brain processing and motor planning, especially when compared to young individuals. In recent years, virtual reality (VR) has become more popular and has been increasingly utilized in rehabilitation centers as an additional health care tool, including for elderly. Because it is considered a motivating resource that promotes greater adhesion to treatment, RV has quickly spread, being applied to the most distinct audiences. Nevertheless, there is little knowledge about how the use of game therapy influences the brain activation of different groups subjected to such stimulation. Faced with diverse cognitive and motor demands provided by this type of resource, alternative mechanisms, such as portable electroencephalography equipment, are essential to measure how brain activity behaves in response to such exposure. Objective: The aim of this study is to investigate the immediate outcomes of performing a balance game, in virtual environment, in brain activation of frontal lobes of young adults. Methodoly: comparative study, involving 20 individuals divided into two groups: young (YG) and elderly (EG). After being submitted to an evaluation of general condition, the necessary support for gait task (FAC), and cognitive status (MMSE), the participants, during 4 minutes, practiced the penguin slide game of the Nintendo Wii balance category, whose effects on the cortex activity were observed through EPOC collecting data. Preliminary results: preliminary results obtained from the pilot study with 4 subjects showed that when comparing the power of the waves analyzed, the magnitude of power was higher in the alpha frequency for both groups. In addition, when comparing the groups, the predominance of alpha activation for the young group is notable while the elderly group obtained predominance in beta activation.