Effects of virtual reality on moods in community older adults. A multicenter randomized controlled trial
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AbstractIntroduction Virtual‐reality (VR) technology is a potential method to use in cognitive intervention, but the use of VR in cognitive stimulation intervention for older adults has not been investigated. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the mood change of older adults after participating in the VR cognitive stimulation activity. Methods This is a multicenter randomized controlled, cross‐over trial. The intervention was a VR cognitive stimulation activity, and the control was a paper‐and‐pencil activity. The participants were older adults with age over 60 and recruited in the elderly community centres. The Positive and Negative Affect Score (PANAS) was used to measure mood change. Mean difference (MD) with 95% confidence interval (95% CI) was calculated. The Simulator sickness questionnaire was used to measure adverse events. Results A total of 236 participants from 19 community centres were recruited. After the VR activity, the participants had a significant increase in total PANAS positive affect score (MD = 2.09, 95% CI = 0.69 to 3.49), and a significant reduction in total negative affect score (MD = ‐1.99, 95% CI = ‐2.55 to ‐1.43). The reduction in negative affect score was significantly larger in VR activity than paper‐and‐pencil activity (MD = ‐0.48, 95% CI = ‐0.98 to 0.00). Besides, only 3 participants reported severe advance events after VR activity. Conclusions The use of VR technology is well accepted by older adults. Therefore, the use of VR technology through smartphone and a mobile app can be a potential method for future cognitive training interventions.
All Author(s) ListChan JYC, Chan TK, Wong MPF, Cheung RSM, Yiu KKL, Tsoi KKF
Journal nameInternational Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry
Year2020
Month8
Volume Number35
Issue Number8
PublisherWiley
Pages926 - 933
ISSN0885-6230
eISSN1099-1166
LanguagesEnglish-United Kingdom