Authors (including presenting author) :
Jim CH(1), Yip KY(2), Hui CY(1), Cheung SS(3), Chan Y(1), Poon SLJ (4), Chiu PF(1), Au KM(1)
Affiliation :
(1) Occupational Therapy Department, Tai Po Hospital, (2) Occupational Therapy Department, Kwai Chung Hospital, (3) Occupational Therapy Department, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, (4) Occupational Therapy Department, Tuen Mun Hospital
Introduction :
Relaxing VR used pleasant virtual environments with natural sound to reduce stress and promote positive emotions of the users (Pizzoli et al., 2019). However, there was limited evidence on the effectiveness of relaxing VR on elderly. Therefore, Virtual Reality (VR) Relaxation Program was launched in psychogeriatric in-patients to analyze its feasibility and effect on patients’ mood.
Objectives :
1) To confirm the feasibility of the program on psychogeriatric patients 2) To reduce mood symptoms and promote positive emotions and relaxation of patients
Methodology :
Procedures: The program was conducted 2 sessions per week for each participant (maximum 12 weeks). Each session lasted for 20 minutes at maximum. Patients with any contraindications to use VR tools such as motion sickness were excluded. Interventions: The VR tools were a smartphone connecting to a head-mounted display plus audio output, XiaozhaiZ6VR or Meta (Oculus) Quest 2. Commercial VR scenery/relaxation videos and 1 self-produced VR rehabilitation garden video were viewed by participants. Outcome measures: Chinese version of Depression Anxiety Stress Scales (DASS 21) was conducted before and after the program. A satisfaction survey in a 5-point Likert scale was conducted after each session. Statistical Analyses: Statistical analyses were conducted in SPSS (IBM Corporation).
Result & Outcome :
The program started in June 2021 and was reviewed in December 2022. 14 participants (age 65-89; 6 Female, 8 Male) had joined the program with a total of 47 sessions conducted. Participants could tolerate 5-10 and 10-20 minutes of treatment for 55% and 38% of the sessions respectively. Dizziness was reported during 2 sessions. For the satisfaction survey, participants showed a “high” or “very high” level of interest in the VR video contents, enjoyment and positive moods with Likert scale “4” or “5” points in 72%, 74% and 77% of the sessions respectively. Within the 8 participants who completed DASS 21, Paired t-test showed that they had significantly reduced scores on depressive (t=4.710, p=0.002) and stress (t=4.670, p=0.002) symptoms. Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Test showed that the scores for anxiety symptoms were significantly reduced as well (Z=-2.388, p=0.017). Participants also reported that watching the VR videos was fun and calming. Therefore, the preliminary results showed that VR relaxation programs could be enjoyed and tolerated by psychogeriatric patients. They might also induce a positive mood and reduce depressive, stress and anxiety symptoms. Settings could consider the choices of VR videos and more comfortable VR tools to provide stronger positive effects and increase patients’ tolerance to treatment.
