How video games can protect the health of older people in Luxembourg

The Flux2 research project has been launched in Luxembourg with the aim of reducing the risk of falls among older people and helping them to remain independent for longer. The programme was developed by the GERO Gerontology Centre in collaboration with the University of Luxembourg, the LUNEX Institute and fitness partner CK. The project has received financial support from the Ministry of Family Affairs and the Grand Duchess Charlotte Foundation. The focus of the initiative stems from the fact that Luxembourg is among the countries where falls among the elderly remain a serious medical and social problem.

The Flux2 method differs significantly from traditional physiotherapy. On the surface, the training sessions resemble a series of computer games, but they are based on a scientifically proven system for developing cognitive skills. Participants complete specialised tasks designed to test attention and reaction speed. One example is a linguistic game in which players must form a new word using only the second letter of the previous one, a task that requires a high level of mental concentration.

Alongside cognitive stimulation, physical exercise plays a key role. A special camera captures the person’s movements and displays them instantly on a screen. As a result, the training becomes a comprehensive process that requires older people to maintain their balance, coordinate their movements and respond quickly to visual stimuli.

Although the final results of the programme’s effectiveness study will not be published for another 10 weeks, the organisers are already noting positive progress. Many participants, who had previously experienced falls or sought to prevent them, are gaining not only physical stability but also confidence in their own abilities.