Effect of a Multicomponent Exercise Program With Virtual Reality (MEP-VR) Versus Standard Approaches on Functional and Cognitive Domains in Hospitalised Geriatric Patients: Study Protocol for a Randomized Controlled Trial

The goal of this clinical trial is to test the effectiveness of a Multicomponent Exercise Program with Virtual Reality (MEP-VR) compared to a Multicomponent Exercise Program (MEP-only) or usual care, in terms of functional and cognitive outcomes in hospitalized older adults. The main questions it aims to answer are: * Does the MEP-VR program improve the functionality of hospitalized older adults compared to the other groups? * Does the MEP-VR program improve the cognitive, mood, and quality of life outcomes of hospitalized older adults compared to the other groups? Participants will be randomly assigned to one of three groups: a control group or one of the two intervention groups. The intervention groups will receive either the MEP-VR or MEP-only program, which consists of supervised aerobic exercise, resistance training, and balance training, with or without a virtual reality component designed specifically for this study. The intervention will take place over four consecutive days, with each session lasting 30-40 minutes. The primary outcome will be the functional changes at the time of discharge. Cognition, mood, quality of life, and VR usability will also be assessed. Technological advances are rapidly increasing with population aging, creating potential benefits for integrating technology into the care of older adults. This study comprehensively evaluates the implementation of VR combined with the multicomponent exercise program. If the hypothesis is confirmed, it would pave the way for modifying the hospitalization system and reducing the critical healthcare burden resulting from the commonly acquired disability in the older population.