Abstract: Virtual reality (VR) offers the possibility of creating an interactive, motivating environment in which training intensity and feedback can be manipulated to provide individualized treatments or motor rehabilitation under a range of stimulus conditions that are not easily controllable and quantifiable in the real world, especially in elderly. This paper reviewed the studies illustrating the application, development and effectiveness of VR on rehabilitation in the elderly, that suggested VR may be useful to augment rehabilitation of a range of disabilities in elderly patients. The prospect of VR is discussed as well.

Key words: virtual reality, rehabilitation, elderly, review