Virtual Reality (VR) is the use of various technologies to digitally simulate or recreate an environment in which an observer can realistically hear, see, and/or feel as though they are a part of the simulation. This can be achieved through head-mounted displays, noise-cancelling headsets and other gadgets that can help the wearer experience the virtual environment through multiple senses. The increasing accessibility of digital media and cost-effectiveness have made virtual reality therapy a potential option in treating mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, anxiety, stress, loneliness, dementia, and phobias. With its proven efficacy in the treatment of such conditions, virtual reality therapy for elderly mental health is becoming increasingly popular. For older adults, VR is used for four primary purposes:
- Assessing and diagnosing the degree of cognitive impairment
- Cognitive training or testing
- Caregiver training
- Designing novel and interactive approaches to treating cognitive impairment
Virtual Reality Therapy for Elderly Mental Health
The mental health of the elderly can be influenced by a number of factors such as social environment, family presence, overcrowding, availability of entertainment, physical condition, etc. Some of the most common mental health conditions that these individuals grapple with are cognitive impairment, depression, loneliness and dementia. Immersive technologies such as VR have proven to demonstrate positive influences with these conditions and ultimately, on elderly mental health.
Virtual Reality has proven effective in detecting mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and also, distinguishing between the two. Besides diagnosis, VR can also be utilized in delaying or preventing MCI and AD through immersive cognitive training. This is because taking part in VR exercises can improve various cognitive functions such as memory, attention, motor rehabilitation and executive functioning that are affected in these conditions. It can generate greater proximity to daily life and, therefore, VR-based training may be more easily translatable to real-world performance.
A VR-based Cognitive Rehabilitation system for patients with MCI, early-stage AD and dementia has proven to be beneficial. This system can help patients learn various skills such as navigation and orientation, facial recognition, cognitive functioning as well as other instrumental activities of daily life. It can assist elderly people to learn functional skills such as wayfinding or cooking that are important for normal functioning and thus, can help improve the quality of life for the elderly, their family members and their caregivers.
Additionally, research has demonstrated virtual reality therapy to be a significant method in enhancing mood in older individuals. VR therapy for depression involves immersing patients in virtual environments, such as tranquil natural landscapes, guided meditations, and social scenarios, that are designed to promote positive emotions and improve social skills while reducing symptoms of depression. A single session of this therapeutic modality can exhibit an increase in positive emotions such as interest, enthusiasm, and excitement and a decrease in negative emotions such as distress, hostility and guilt. VR-based nature walks have shown to elicit joy and relaxation and reduce anxiety and sadness among the elderly. Virtual reality therapy sessions have also exhibited decreased apathy and increased facial expressions, verbal engagement, physical engagement, verbal tone and eye contact among the aged population.
Virtual Reality-based Reminiscence Therapy (VR-RT) is shown to promote psychological well-being in older adults. Reminiscence therapy (RT) is a popular non-pharmacological intervention that uses supporting materials such as music, pictures and objects to reignite the memories of the past. Therefore, personalized VR-RT could trigger positive emotions in individuals with depression and anxiety through the re-experiencing of intimate and fond memories.
Apart from this, VR has also demonstrated substantial validity in cognitive assessments for the elderly. Performance on VR tasks designed to measure particular cognitive functions can be correlated with performance on similar neuropsychological tests.
Virtual reality therapy for elderly mental health holds immense promise through the use of innovative, immersive and personalised experiences. From cognitive assessment and training to emotional support and reminiscence therapy, VR provides engaging solutions that improve quality of life and promote psychological well-being. As technology becomes more accessible, virtual reality is poised to become a valuable tool in geriatric mental healthcare.
Photo Credits:
First image: freepik
Second image: freepik
References
Cieślik, B., Juszko, K., Kiper, P., & Szczepańska-Gieracha, J. (2023). Immersive virtual reality as support for the mental health of elderly women: a randomized controlled trial. Virtual Reality, 27(3), 2227-2235.
Garcia-Betances, R. I., Jiménez-Mixco, V., Arredondo, M. T., & Cabrera-Umpiérrez, M. F. (2015). Using virtual reality for cognitive training of the elderly. American Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease & Other Dementias®, 30(1), 49-54.
Kupczik, L., Farrelly, W., & Wilson, S. (2022). Appraising virtual technologies’ impact on older citizens’ mental health—a comparative between 360 video and virtual reality. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(18), 11250.
Ng, W. H. D., Ang, W. H. D., Fukahori, H., Goh, Y. S., Lim, W. S., Siah, C. J. R., … & Liaw, S. Y. (2024). Virtual reality‐based reminiscence therapy for older adults to improve psychological well‐being and cognition: A systematic review. Journal of Clinical Nursing.
Skurla, M. D., Rahman, A. T., Salcone, S., Mathias, L., Shah, B., Forester, B. P., & Vahia, I. V. (2022). Virtual reality and mental health in older adults: a systematic review. International Psychogeriatrics, 34(2), 143-155.
Zhai, K., Dilawar, A., Yousef, M. S., Holroyd, S., El-Hammali, H., & Abdelmonem, M. (2021). Virtual reality therapy for depression and mood in long-term care facilities. Geriatrics, 6(2), 58.
Sakshi
About the author
Sakshi is a clinical psychologist with a deep passion for understanding human behavior, a strong drive for research, and a keen eye for psychological intricacies. Committed to continuous learning, she seeks to explore every facet of psychology, from theory to practice, to better support and empower individuals. With a curiosity that fuels her pursuit of knowledge, she strives to bridge the gap between research and real-world applications, making psychology more accessible and impactful.
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