therapy based on non-immersive virtual reality (VRT) comprises a technique of interaction between the user and the interface system that allows the creation of an environment in which functional and motivational activities can be performed, while training with restricted blood flow (RBF) is an intervention modality that has been used in individuals who do not have good tolerance to high intensities of exercise. Among the various training modalities for the elderly population, both therapies have easy applicability and low financial cost. However, there are no studies on the combination of such interventions in relation to the autonomic outcome in elderly women.

To evaluate the behavior of cardiac autonomic modulation after VRT with or without RBF in elderly women.

This is a cross-over clinical trial composed of 17 elderly women with a mean age of 66.82±4.11 years who underwent three conditions: VRT-RBF, VRT only and control. The VRT was performed using a Nintendo Wii® videogame with the games Hulla Hoop, Free Run and Free Step with a total duration of 21 minutes approximately. For VRT-RBF, occlusion occurred in the proximal thigh and was set at 40% of the absolute occlusion pressure. The control group received an educational session of the same duration as the other conditions. For all groups, initially at rest (20 minutes), during the conditions, and in the recovery period (60 minutes analyzed every 10 minutes), RR intervals were collected for analysis of linear indices of heart rate variability (HRV) in the time domain (RR interval, SDNN, and rMSSD). Descriptive statistics were used and analysis of variance for repeated measures with two factors and significance level of p<0.05 was used for comparisons.

There was no effect between conditions and interaction conditions vs. moments for all analyzed indices (p>0.05). There was an effect of moment for the RR intervals in the VRT-RBF condition in which the values showed a significant reduction from the baseline moment (95%CI 666-765) until 30 minutes [10′ (95%CI 599-725; p<0.05), 20′ (95%CI 618-719; p<0.05) and 30′ (95%CI 637-741; p<0.05)] of the recovery period.

VRT with or without RBF did not promote autonomic imbalance in the recovery period.

VRT-RBF can be an exercise alternative for the elderly population, due to its low financial cost and easy applicability that can promote the reduction of the deleterious effects of aging and sedentarism, providing an activity through playful games and favoring motivation and adherence in rehabilitation programs.