Kim Junhyoung, Lee Jungjoo, Kim Yongseop, Nuseibeh Betsey, Han Sua
Junhyoung Kim, Assistant Professor, Department of Health & Wellness Design, Osan University, South Korea.
Jungjoo Lee, doctoral candidate, Department of Health & Wellness Design, Osan University, South Korea.
Am J Health Behav. 2023 Feb 28;47(1):3-12. doi: 10.5993/AJHB.47.1.1.
In this pilot study, we focused on the health benefits of a nature-based virtual reality (VR) intervention for older adults with dementia, primarily Alzheimer's Disease (AD). Our main objective was to assess pre-post changes in the emotional health and quality of life of older adults with AD after participating in a 5-week nature-based VR program. Using in-depth interviews with VR participants and facility staff, we explored the health outcomes of participants as well as challenges to their participation. We recruited 11 participants. We found an increase in participants' mean scores for pleasure and alertness and a decrease in mean scores for anxiety, sadness, and anger. In addition, we found that the quality-of-life mean scores significantly increased after program participation. In qualitative findings, we identified 3 main themes as possible mental health outcomes of the nature-based VR program: (1) enjoyment, (2) novel experience, and (3) reminiscence. On the other hand, participants experienced some challenges related to the VR gear and manipulating the VR controllers and goggles while engaged in the program. The nature-based VR program was instrumental in promoting emotional health and quality of life among older adults with AD.
在这项试点研究中，我们聚焦于针对患有痴呆症（主要是阿尔茨海默病，即AD）的老年人开展的基于自然的虚拟现实（VR）干预措施所带来的健康益处。我们的主要目标是评估参与为期5周的基于自然的VR项目后，患有AD的老年人在情绪健康和生活质量方面的前后变化。通过对VR参与者和机构工作人员进行深入访谈，我们探究了参与者的健康结果以及他们参与过程中所面临的挑战。我们招募了11名参与者。我们发现参与者在愉悦感和警觉性方面的平均得分有所提高，而在焦虑、悲伤和愤怒方面的平均得分有所下降。此外，我们还发现参与项目后生活质量的平均得分显著提高。在定性研究结果中，我们确定了基于自然的VR项目可能产生的心理健康结果的3个主要主题：（1）愉悦感，（2）新奇体验，（3）回忆。另一方面，参与者在参与项目时，在VR设备以及操作VR控制器和护目镜方面遇到了一些挑战。基于自然的VR项目有助于促进患有AD的老年人的情绪健康和生活质量。
