Studies - VITAR

Studies and expert opinions

Findings from science & research on the topic of VR

Virtual reality (VR) is often associated with younger generations and video games. However, more and more studies are proving the positive effects of VR use on older people, in particular a significant improvement in their state of mind.

"Interactive virtual reality using exergames can improve heart rate, fatigue and physical activity and relieve pain in patients with cardiovascular disease."

Virtual reality and video games in cardiac rehabilitation programs. A systematic review: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09638288.2019. 1631892

"Immersive virtual reality (VR) can provide high levels of engagement and distraction analgesia for pain relief."

Immersive Virtual Reality for the Management of Pain in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1539449218817291

"The use of modern AR-HMDs in home exercises could be of great benefit to older hypertensive patients by increasing adherence to therapy."

Exergames in Augmented Reality for Older Adults with Hypertension: A Qualitative Study Exploring User Requirements: https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-030-22015-0_18

"The preliminary results suggest that VR exergaming could lead to blood pressure-lowering effects in older people with high blood pressure."

Virtual reality exergame in older patients with hypertension: a preliminary study to determine load intensity and blood pressure: https://bmcgeriatr.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12877-023-04245-x

"In summary, this pilot study shows that VR-based environmental enrichment...has the potential to stabilize patients' cognitive functions and improve their mental well-being."

Virtual Reality (VR)-Based Environmental Enrichment in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and Mild Dementia: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8392435/

"The VR-based intervention program designed to reduce BPSD was actionable for participants and provided a high level of satisfaction and immersion.

Developing a virtual reality for people with dementia in nursing homes based on their psychological needs: a feasibility study: https://bmcgeriatr.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12877-021-02125-w

"In addition, we have found that VR panoramas effectively improve the subjective well-being of patients. VR-based memory therapy can therefore have a positive impact on the quality of life of people with dementia."

Reminiscence therapy using virtual reality technology affects cognitive function and subjective well-being in older adults with dementia: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/23311908.2021.
1968991

"VR treatment is a useful non-pharmacological approach to improve cognitive and motor function in older adults with mild cognitive impairment or dementia, particularly in the areas of attention/execution, memory, global cognition and balance."

Effects of Virtual Reality Intervention on Cognition and Motor Function in Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment or Dementia: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34025384/

"Older adults, their relatives and their professional caregivers can use these tools to improve their daily lives."

The Use of Virtual and Augmented Reality by Older Adults: Potentials and Challenges: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/frvir.2021.639718/ full

"All participants completed the study with no negative side effects reported (e.g. no dizziness, no disorientation, no interference with hearing aids); most had positive feedback and felt more relaxed and adventurous. 76 % wanted to try VR again."

Older Adults With Cognitive and/or Physical Impairments Can Benefit From Immersive Virtual Reality Experiences: A Feasibility Study: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32010701/

"The results show that the seniors in the experimental group have improvements in general cognition, execution, attention and visual memory."

Virtual Reality-Based Cognitive Stimulation to Improve Cognitive Functioning in Community Elderly: A Controlled Study:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32031888/

"The research found that VR-assisted procedures contributed to the alleviation of behavioral and psychological symptoms in patients with mild cognitive impairment and early-stage dementia,..."

Using virtual reality for cognitive training of the elderly: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/25107931/

"In general, virtual worlds have been found to help older people cope with their disabilities, facilitate social engagement, provide mental stimulation and productive activities."

Exploring the potential of virtual worlds in engaging older people and supporting healthy aging: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/0144929x.2012. 691552

"The results show that the seniors in the experimental group have improvements in general cognition, execution, attention and visual memory."

Virtual Reality-Based Cognitive Stimulation to Improve Cognitive Functioning in Community Elderly: A Controlled Study:https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32031888/

"The VR program was shown to be an effective intervention method for improving cognitive functions such as memory and improving balance in older people. In addition, the VR program could increase motivation,..."

The effect of virtual reality program on the cognitive function and balance of the people with mild cognitive impairment: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5574359/

"...pain ratings during wound debridement were statistically lower when patients were in VR."

Albertus W. Faber, David R. Patterson, Marco Bremer; Repeated Use of Immersive Virtual Reality Therapy to Control Pain During Wound Dressing Changes in Pediatric and Adult Burn Patients, Journal of Burn Care & Research, Volume 34, Issue 5, September 1, 2013, Pages 563-568.
https://doi.org/10.1097/BCR.0b013e3182777904

"Ten years later, there is solid evidence from controlled research that VR distraction is effective for reducing experimental pain, as well as the pain associated with burn injury care."

Kevin M. Malloy and Leonard S. Milling: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272735810 001091?via%3Dihub

"...preliminary evidence that virtual reality can function as a strong nonpharmacologic pain reduction technique..."

Hoffman, H.G., Patterson, D.R., Carrougher, G.J., & Sharar, S. (2001). The effectiveness of virtual reality based pain control with multiple treatments. Clinical Journal of Pain, 17, 229-235.
http://www.hitl.washington.edu/research/burn/multiplepain.htm

"VR demonstrated efficacy in the treatment of various pain conditions, including acute pain during procedures and surgical pain, as well as various chronic pain conditions such as fibromyalgia, phantom limb syndrome, chronic low back and neck pain, and cancer-related pain conditions."

Front. Med., July 14, 2023
Sec. Intensive Care Medicine and Anesthesiology
Volume 10 - 2023 | https://doi.org/10.3389/fmed.2023.1203670

"VR-based rehabilitation promises to improve the outcomes of orthopaedic surgery and represents a dynamic approach to recovery."

Effectiveness of Virtual Reality-Based Rehabilitation Interventions in Improving Postoperative Outcomes for Orthopedic Surgery Patients. Alternative Treatments for Pain Medicine (C Robinson, Section Editor) Published: November 30, 2023; Volume 28, pages 37-45, (2024): https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11916-023-01192-5

"In addition, the use of VR can lower stress levels and reduce anxiety during a stay in the intensive care unit. This can have a positive effect on sleep quality, the development of delirium and cognitive impairment."

Virtual and augmented reality in intensive care medicine: a systematic review Annals of Intensive Care volume 13, Article number: 81 (2023): https://annalsofintensivecare.springeropen.com/articles/10.118 6/s13613-023-01176-z

Virtual travel increases the well-being of senior citizens

VR glasses make seniors feel happier and more relaxed.

The seniors in the VR group reported that they felt happier, more satisfied and more relaxed than the seniors in the control group.

The study* also revealed that spatial mobility is a factor influencing the effect of VR. The effect of VR was greatest for men and women with limited mobility.

*Study of the West Saxon University of Applied Sciences Zwickau 2023