The Investigation of the Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Applications in Postmenopausal Osteoporosis Patients

Osteoporosis is a progressive disease characterised by a decrease in bone mass, deterioration in bone microarchitecture, and increased fragility. Etiologically, it is divided into two types: primary (postmenopausal and senile) and secondary. Postmenopausal women are particularly at high risk; it is seen in more than 80% of women over the age of 50 and in almost all individuals over the age of 75. With menopause, bone mineral density decreases, which negatively affects neuromuscular functions, leading to balance disorders, decreased walking speed, and an increased risk of falls. Falls are the primary cause of osteoporotic fractures and result in functional loss, morbidity, mortality, and increased healthcare costs. Exercise is effective in reducing bone loss; in recent years, therapeutic virtual reality and exercise games (exergames) have come to the fore. However, the literature on the effectiveness of these applications in postmenopausal osteoporosis patients is limited. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of virtual reality applications on balance, quality of life, and fall risk and to compare them with a control group.