Developing a virtual reality for people with dementia in nursing homes based on their psychological needs: a feasibility study

BMC Geriatrics

Hyeongji Lim¹  Seonmin Park¹  Jung-Hee Kim¹ 

[1] College of Nursing, The Catholic University of Korea, 222 Banpo-daero Seocho-gu, 06591, Seoul, Korea;

关键词: Dementia;    Virtual reality;    Virtual reality intervention;    Cognitive dysfunction;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12877-021-02125-w

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundThe purpose of this study was (1) to develop a virtual reality (VR) intervention program based on the psychological needs of patients residing in nursing facilities in South Korea to alleviate their behavioral and psychological symptoms and (2) to confirm the possibility of utilizing VR in patients with dementia.MethodsIn the first phase, patients with dementia residing in nursing homes and experiencing behavioral and psychological symptoms were recruited. Surveys and questionnaires were used to identify activities that alleviated the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) among the patients. These activities were classified into five types of psychological needs. In the second phase, a fully immersive, interactive, easy-to-use VR platform was developed that reflected these psychological needs. Patients with dementia experienced the VR content. The researchers assessed the level of the participants’ immersion, preference, and interaction with the VR using a 5-point Likert scale.ResultsIn the feasibility test, 10 nursing home residents were recruited. The mean immersion score was 4.93 ± 0.16 points, the mean preference score was 4.35 ± 0.41 points, and the mean interaction score was 3.84 ± 0.43 points using a 5-point Likert scale. Higher mean scores indicated a more positive outcome. Six of the 10 participants required assistance while using the VR. The mean VR experience duration was 10.00 ± 3.46 min.ConclusionsThe VR-based intervention program that was developed to reduce BPSD was feasible for the participants and provided them with a high degree of satisfaction and immersion. Furthermore, this study also confirmed the convenience and safety of the program. These findings support the potential use of VR-based BPSD intervention programs to treat patients with dementia.

【 授权许可】

CC BY