背景:除了疾病,不活动是养老院高死亡率的危险因素.利用创新技术,例如虚拟现实(VR),有意义的小组活动可以为解决这个问题提供新的机会。VR干预已被批准为增强老年人健康的有希望的方法。
目的:在本研究中,我们研究了基于VR的小组活动是否可以对居住在疗养院的老年人的活动水平和小组互动产生积极影响.
方法:我们进行了一项纵向研究,并在疗养院连续4周提供了每周一次的VR干预作为小组活动。根据护理人员的经验和老年人的自然决定招募参与者。在一个虚拟的小屋内,根据目标群体的需要设计,老年人能够执行他们在现实生活中不再能够完成的日常任务,比如园艺和做披萨。总的来说,两位心理学家测量了心理社会能力,日常生活活动,以及使用标准化工具进行干预前后的幸福感。
结果:结果集中于来自14个疗养院的84名老年人,他们完成了至少3次VR干预。结果表明,老年人的一些心理社会能力得到了改善,包括遵守法规(P<.001;η²=0.122),柔韧性(P<.001;η²=0.109),和群积分(P<.001;η²=0.141)。与能力相关的问题也显示出轻微的下降(P=.04;η²=0.039)。此外,VR干预促进了他们的主动性(P<.001;η²=0.104)和流动性(P=.04;η²=0.039)。在VR团体干预期间,老年人的幸福感可以保持在较高的水平。结果突出了VR干预作为疗养院有意义的活动的有益效果,在此设置中展示VR应用的潜力。
结论:这项研究提供了一种新颖而自然的观点,提供有关VR在养老院中使用的新见解。VR干预被广泛接受,并实现了增强能力和福祉的目标。这可能是疗养院中一项有意义的小组活动,以改善社会群体互动。为了提供更有力的证据,随机对照试验是必要的。
BACKGROUND: In addition to illness, inactivity is a risk factor for high mortality in nursing homes. Using innovative technology, such as virtual reality (VR), for meaningful group activities could provide new opportunities for solving this problem. VR interventions have already been approved as a promising method for enhancing the health of older adults.
OBJECTIVE: In this study, we examined whether VR-based group activities can have a positive impact on activity level and group interaction among older adults living in nursing homes.
METHODS: We conducted a longitudinal study and provided VR interventions as a group activity once a week for 4 consecutive weeks in nursing homes. Participants were recruited based on the experience of the nursing staff members and the natural decisions of the older adults. Within a virtual cottage, designed according to the needs of the target group, older adults were able to perform daily tasks that they were no longer able to do in real life, such as gardening and making pizza. Overall, 2 psychologists measured the psychosocial capacities, activities of daily life, and well-being before and after the interventions using standardized instruments.
RESULTS: The results focus on a total of 84 older adults from 14 nursing homes who completed at least 3 VR interventions. The results indicate that several psychosocial capacities among the older adults improved, including adherence to regulations (P<.001; η²=0.122), flexibility (P<.001; η²=0.109), and group integration (P<.001; η²=0.141). Problems related to competence also showed a slight decrease (P=.04; η²=0.039). In addition, the VR intervention promoted their proactivity (P<.001; η²=0.104) and mobility (P=.04; η²=0.039). During the VR group intervention, older adults\' well-being could be maintained at a high level. The results highlight the beneficial effects of VR intervention as a meaningful activity in nursing homes, showcasing the potential of VR applications in this setting.
CONCLUSIONS: This study provides a novel and naturalistic perspective, offering new insights into the use of VR in nursing homes. The VR intervention was well accepted and fulfilled the aim of enhancing capacity and well-being. It could be a meaningful group activity in nursing homes to improve social group interaction. To provide stronger evidence, randomized controlled trials are necessary.