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Cited by 332Virtual Reality Applications and ImpactsTechnology Use by Older AdultsStroke Rehabilitation and Recovery

Older Adults With Cognitive and/or Physical Impairments Can Benefit From Immersive Virtual Reality Experiences: A Feasibility Study

Open access
Appel, Lora, Appel, Eva, Bogler, Orly, Wiseman, Micaela, Cohen, Leedan, Ein, Natalie, Abrams, Howard B., Campos, Jennifer L.·2020·Frontiers in Medicine
DOI 10.3389/fmed.2019.00329PMC PMC6974513
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Abstract

Background: Older adults living in long term care and rehabilitation hospitals often experience reduced mobility, sometimes resulting in confinement indoors and isolation, which can introduce or aggravate symptoms of depression, anxiety, loneliness, and apathy. As Virtual Reality (VR) becomes increasingly accessible and affordable, there is a unique opportunity to enable older adults to escape their restricted physical realities and be transported to stimulating and calming places which may improve their general wellbeing. To date no robust evaluations of immersive VR-therapy (experienced through a head-mounted-display (HMD)) for older adults within these settings have been reported. VR-therapy may prove to be a safe, inexpensive, non-pharmacological means of managing depressive symptoms and providing engagement and enjoyment to this rapidly growing demographic. Objectives: Establish the feasibility of immersive VR-therapy for older adults with reduced sensory, mobility and/or impaired cognition. This includes evaluation of tolerability, comfort, and ease of use of the HMD, and of the potential for immersive VR to provide enjoyment/relaxation and reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms. Methods: Sixty-six older adults (mean age 80.5) with varying cognitive abilities (normal=28, mild impairment=17, moderate impairment=12, severe impairment=3, unknown=6), and/or physical impairments, entered a multi-site non-randomized interventional study in Toronto, Canada. Participants experienced 3 to 20 minutes of 360°-video footage of nature scenes displayed on Samsung-GearVR-HMD. Data was collected through pre/post-intervention surveys, standardized observations during intervention, and post-intervention semi-structured interviews addressing the VR experience. Results: All participants completed the study with no negative side-effects (e.g. no dizziness, disorientation, interference with hearing aids); the average time spent in VR was eight minutes and 76% of participants viewed the entire experience at least once. Participants tolerated the HMD very well; most had positive feedback, feeling more relaxed and adventurous; 76% wanted to try VR again. Better image quality and increased narrative video content were suggested to improve the experience. Conclusion: It is feasible and safe to expose older adults with cognitive and physical impairments to immersive VR within these settings. Further research should evaluate the potential benefits of VR in different settings (e.g. home/community based) and explore better customization/optimization of the content and equipment for the targeted populations.

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Authors
Appel, L., Appel, E., Bogler, O., Wiseman, M., Cohen, L., Ein, N., Abrams, H. B., & Campos, J. L.
Affiliations
  • University Health Network (CA)
  • University of Toronto (CA)
  • Toronto Metropolitan University (CA)
Corresponding author
Appel, Lora
ORCID
Venue
Frontiers in Medicine
Publisher
Frontiers Media SA
Published
2020-01-15
Volume
6
Pages
329-329
ISSN
2296-858X (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.3389/fmed.2019.00329
PMC
PMC6974513
OpenAlex
W3000647430
Cited by
332
References
38
Citations by year
2026: 48 · 2025: 75 · 2024: 69 · 2023: 40 · 2022: 48 · 2021: 33 · 2020: 19
FWCI
25.48
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Licence
Locations
  • Frontiers in Medicine (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
Funders
University Health Network
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Computer Science › Human-Computer Interaction › Virtual Reality Applications and Impacts
  • Social Sciences › Demography › Technology Use by Older Adults
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Rehabilitation › Stroke Rehabilitation and Recovery
Keywords
immersive virtual reality, older adults, cognitive impairment, physical impairment, long-term care, rehabilitation hospital, depression, anxiety, loneliness, head-mounted displays, natural images, feasibility, non-pharmacological treatment, sensory impairment

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