Virtual Reality Could Be a Tool for Well-Being in Older Adults

Fully immersive virtual reality using 360° views, or VR 360°, represents a promising tool to improve well-being and manage psychosocial disorders, especially as individuals experience isolation resulting from COVID-19 precautions, researchers in France found. Julie Restout, a doctoral student at the Université de Limoges, and colleagues conducted a scoping review of 2,262 articles from four databases, mostly pilot studies, about the effectiveness of VR 360° in older adults, cybersickness, and attitudes toward VR 360°. “Aging affects the subjective well-being, in particular by modifying life satisfaction, emotions and self-actualization,” the researchers said. “Several other factors, such as social isolation, physical decline, and dependence, accentuate these disorders. Moreover, the lack of social contact and engagement in meaningful activities in the context of pandemic-related confinement has exacerbated alteration of well-being.” The use of VR 360° to help manage the behavioral and psychological factors of well-being has grown in recent years, especially as smartphone-powered headsets, stand-alone head-mounted displays (HMDs), and 360° video have made content more viable, the researchers said. In the final analysis the researchers selected 10 articles — featuring a total of 524 individuals aged 68 to 87, including 95 individuals who had cognitive impairment — that looked at fully immersive VR 360° using HMDs. “Using HMD eliminates any distractions and brings a stronger sense of presence and embodiment,” the researchers said. “The level of presence corresponds to the degree to which a person feels he or she is immersed in the virtual environment. A high sense of presence may increase response to the virtual environment and is likely to influence users by evoking emotions.” Immersive therapy, the studies showed, had positive effects on well-being, namely improved emotions and less apathy, but the results were mixed in other areas. Specifically,•Three studies showed that VR 360° improved anxiety, but a fourth study found no such effect.•One study showed a positive effect on quality of life, but a second study did not.•One study showed that VR 360° reduced depression, but two other studies found no effect.•Two studies found no improvement in loneliness.•Five out of six studies including individuals with cognitive impairment showed a positive effect on emotions, anxiety, apathy, and depression. Furthermore, the researchers said, benefits are often observed after only a few sessions, and most participants said they found the experience to be enjoyable. They note that these findings are particularly relevant for individuals experiencing social isolation, such as during the pandemic. One challenge with 360° technology, however, is its association with the signs and symptoms of motion sickness, including disorientation, eyestrain, headache, and nausea. Of the 524 participants, 18 reported mild side effects, and three reported severe side effects. The researchers caution that further research is warranted, especially given the differences in methodology and contrasting comments by the studies’ participants. Source: Restout J, et al. Fully Immersive Virtual Reality Using 360° Videos to Manage Well-Being in Older Adults: A Scoping Review [published online: February 6, 2023]. J Am Med Dir Assoc. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jamda.2022.12.026.