scholarly journals Testing the Feasibility of Virtual Reality With Older Adults With Cognitive Impairments and Their Family Members Who Live at a Distance

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Tamara Afifi ◽  
Nancy L Collins ◽  
Kyle Rand ◽  
Ken Fujiwara ◽  
Allison Mazur ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Family Member ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Telephone Call ◽  
Reminiscence Therapy ◽  
Geographical Separation ◽  
Moderate Dementia ◽  
Automated Coding ◽  
Design And Methods

Abstract Background and Objectives This study tests the feasibility of using virtual reality (VR) with older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild-to-moderate dementia with a family member who lives at a distance. Research Design and Methods 21 residents in a senior living community and a family member (who participated in the VR with the older adult from a distance) engaged in a baseline telephone call, followed by 3 weekly VR sessions. Results Residents and family members alike found the VR safe, extremely enjoyable, and easy to use. The VR was also acceptable and highly satisfying for residents with MCI and dementia. Human and automated coding revealed that residents were more conversationally and behaviorally engaged with their family member in the VR sessions compared to the baseline telephone call and in the VR sessions that used reminiscence therapy. The results also illustrate the importance of using multiple methods to assess engagement. Residents with dementia reported greater immersion in the VR than residents with MCI. However, the automated coding indicated that residents with MCI were more kinesically engaged while using the VR than residents with dementia. Discussion and Implications Combining networking and livestreaming features in a single VR platform can allow older adults in senior living communities to still travel, relive their past, and engage fully with life with their family members, despite geographical separation and physical and cognitive challenges.

scholarly journals Virtual reality intervention to improve apathy in residential aged care: protocol for a multisite non-randomised controlled trial

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. e046030
Author(s):  
Dimitrios Saredakis ◽  
Hannah A D Keage ◽  
Megan Corlis ◽  
Tobias Loetscher
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Passive Control ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Laptop Computer ◽  
Reminiscence Therapy ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Secondary Outcomes

IntroductionApathy is a prevalent neuropsychiatric symptom for older adults residing in aged care. Left untreated, apathy has been associated with accelerated cognitive decline and increased risk of mortality. Reminiscence therapy is commonly used in aged care and has demonstrated to reduce apathy. Traditional methods of reminiscence use physical objects and more recently technology including tablets and laptop computers have demonstrated potential. Virtual reality (VR) has successfully been used to treat psychological disorders; however, there is little evidence on using VR for behavioural symptoms such as apathy in older adults. Using VR to deliver reminiscence therapy provides an immersive experience, and readily available applications provide access to a large range of content allowing easier delivery of therapy over traditional forms of therapy. This study aims to identify changes in apathy after a reminiscence therapy intervention using head-mounted displays (HMDs).Methods and analysisParticipants will be allocated to one of three groups; reminiscence therapy using VR; an active control using a laptop computer or physical items and a passive control. A total of 45 participants will be recruited from residential aged care (15 in each group). The three groups will be compared at baseline and follow-up. The primary outcome is apathy, and secondary outcomes include cognition and depression. Side effects from using HMDs will also be examined in the VR group. Primary and secondary outcomes at baseline and follow-up will be analysed using linear mixed modelling.Ethics and disseminationEthics approval was obtained from the University of South Australia Human Research Ethics Committee. The results from this study will be disseminated through manuscript publications and national/international conferences.Trial registration numberACTRN12619001510134.

scholarly journals Using Virtual Reality to Improve Apathy in Residential Aged Care: Mixed Methods Study (Preprint)

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dimitrios Saredakis ◽  
Hannah AD Keage ◽  
Megan Corlis ◽  
Tobias Loetscher
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Neurological Disorders ◽  
Verbal Fluency ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Reminiscence Therapy

BACKGROUND Apathy is a common symptom in neurological disorders, including dementia, and is associated with a faster rate of cognitive decline, reduced quality of life, and high caregiver burden. There is a lack of effective pharmacological treatments for apathy, and nonpharmacological interventions are a preferred first-line approach to treatment. Virtual reality (VR) using head-mounted displays (HMDs) is being successfully used in exposure- and distraction-based therapies; however, there is limited research on using HMDs for symptoms of neurological disorders. OBJECTIVE This feasibility study aimed to assess whether VR using HMDs could be used to deliver tailored reminiscence therapy and examine the willingness to participate, response rates to measures, time taken to create tailored content, and technical problems. In addition, this study aimed to explore the immediate effects between verbal fluency and apathy after exposure to VR. METHODS A mixed methods study was conducted in a sample of older adults residing in aged care, and 17 participants were recruited. Apathy was measured using the Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES), and verbal fluency was used as a proxy measure of improvements in apathy and debriefing interviews to assess feedback from participants. Side effects that can occur from using HMDs were also measured. RESULTS We recruited participants from a high socioeconomic status setting with a high education level, and the participation rate was 85% (17/20); most responses to measures were positive. Access to a wide range of freely available content and the absence of technical difficulties made the delivery of a VR reminiscence intervention highly feasible. Participants had improved semantic scores (<i>t</i><sub>14</sub>=−3.27; <i>P</i>=.006) but not phonemic fluency scores (<i>t</i><sub>14</sub>=0.55; <i>P</i>=.59) immediately after the intervention. Those with higher levels of apathy demonstrated the greatest cognitive improvements after a VR reminiscence experience, which was indicated by a strong positive relationship between the AES and semantic verbal fluency change scores postminus pre-VR (<i>r</i>=0.719; 95% CI 0.327 to 0.900; <i>P</i>=.003). All participants enjoyed the experience despite 35% (6/17) of participants experiencing temporary side effects. CONCLUSIONS This study provides initial evidence that it is feasible to use VR with HMDs for therapy to treat symptoms of apathy in older adults in residential aged care. However, there is a need to closely monitor the side effects of HMD use in older adults. Further research is needed using an active control group to compare the use of VR with traditional forms of reminiscence therapy.

scholarly journals Virtual reality intervention to improve apathy in residential aged care: protocol for a multi-site trial

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dimitrios Saredakis ◽  
Hannah AD Keage ◽  
Megan Corlis ◽  
Tobias Loetscher
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Usual Care ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Laptop Computer ◽  
Pharmacological Interventions ◽  
Reminiscence Therapy ◽  
Increased Risk

Background: Apathy is a prevalent neuropsychiatric symptom for older adults residing in aged care. Left untreated, apathy has been associated with accelerated cognitive decline and increased risk of mortality. Pharmacological interventions have not been established and can have side effects, placing a priority on the evaluation of non-pharmacological interventions. Reminiscence therapy, a psychosocial, person-centred intervention is commonly used in aged care and has demonstrated to reduce apathy. Traditional methods of reminiscence utilise physical objects and more recently technology including tablets and laptop computers have demonstrated potential. Virtual reality (VR) has successfully been used to treat psychological disorders, however there is little evidence on using VR for behavioural symptoms such as apathy in older adults. Using VR to deliver reminiscence therapy provides an immersive experience, and readily available applications provide access to a large range of content allowing easier delivery of therapy over traditional forms of therapy. This study aims to examine the effect of tailored reminiscence therapy using VR on apathy.Methods: In this multi-site trial, participants will be allocated to one of three groups; a reminiscence therapy intervention using VR; an active control using a laptop computer or physical items; and a passive control usual care group. A total of 45 participants will be recruited from residential aged care (15 in each group). The three groups will be compared at baseline and follow-up. The primary outcome is apathy, secondary outcomes include cognition and depression. Side effects from using head-mounted displays will also be examined in the VR group.Discussion: This study intends to establish if using VR reminiscence therapy improves levels of apathy compared to traditional reminiscence therapy or usual care. Results from this study will inform the therapeutic use of VR for older adults residing in aged care and provide knowledge for implementing VR into existing lifestyle activities in this context.Trial registration: This trial was registered in the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (ACTRN12619001510134). Registered 31 October 2018, https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=378564&amp;isReview=true

Using Virtual Reality for Reminiscence to Improve Apathy in Residential Aged Care: Results from a Multi-site Non-Randomised Controlled Trial (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dimitrios Saredakis ◽  
Hannah AD Keage ◽  
Megan Corlis ◽  
Erica S Ghezzi ◽  
Helen Loffler ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Passive Control ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Reminiscence Therapy ◽  
Secondary Outcomes ◽  
Therapy Intervention

BACKGROUND Apathy is a frequent and under-recognized symptom of neurological disorders. Reduced goal directed behaviour caused by apathy is associated with poor outcomes for older adults in residential aged care. Recommended nonpharmacological treatments include person-centred therapy using information and communication technology. Virtual reality (VR) is a fully immersive technology providing access to wide range of freely available content. The use of VR as a tool for therapy has demonstrated promise in areas including treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder and anxiety. Research using VR for symptoms of older adults in residential aged care facilities is limited. OBJECTIVE This study examined changes in apathy after three sessions of a reminiscence therapy intervention including VR. METHODS In this multi-site trial, 43 participants were allocated to one of three groups: reminiscence therapy intervention using VR, reminiscence therapy using a laptop computer and physical items (active control), and a usual care (passive control) group. The primary outcome was apathy, secondary outcomes included cognition and depression. Side effects from using head-mounted displays were also measured in the VR group. RESULTS Mixed model analyses revealed no significant time by group interaction in outcomes between the VR and laptop groups, estimate=-2.24, SE=1.89, t(40)=-1.18, P=.24. Pooled apathy scores in the two intervention groups compared to the passive control group also revealed no significant time by group interaction, estimate=-0.26, SE=1.66, t(40)=-0.16, P .88. There were also no significant results in the secondary outcomes. Most participants in the VR group did state they would prefer to watch content in VR than on a flat screen, Chi-square (2)=11.2, P=.004, and with careful selection of content, it was found that side effects were negligible to minimal according to Simulator Sickness Questionnaire cutoff scores. CONCLUSIONS Although there were no significant results in outcome measures, this study found that participants engaged with the research and enjoyed the process of reminiscing using both forms of technology. It was found that VR can be implemented in an aged care setting with the correct protocols in place. Providing residents in aged care with a choice of technology may assist with increasing participation in activities. We cannot dismiss the importance of immediate effects while the therapy was in progress, this is an avenue for further research that will be reported from this study. CLINICALTRIAL Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry ACTRN12619001510134; https://www.anzctr.org.au/Trial/Registration/TrialReview.aspx?id=378564 INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPORT RR2-DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2020-046030

scholarly journals Using Virtual Reality to Improve Apathy in Residential Aged Care: Mixed Methods Study

10.2196/17632 ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (6) ◽  
pp. e17632 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dimitrios Saredakis ◽  
Hannah AD Keage ◽  
Megan Corlis ◽  
Tobias Loetscher
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Mixed Methods ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Neurological Disorders ◽  
Verbal Fluency ◽  
Aged Care ◽  
Mixed Methods Study ◽  
Residential Aged Care ◽  
Reminiscence Therapy

Background Apathy is a common symptom in neurological disorders, including dementia, and is associated with a faster rate of cognitive decline, reduced quality of life, and high caregiver burden. There is a lack of effective pharmacological treatments for apathy, and nonpharmacological interventions are a preferred first-line approach to treatment. Virtual reality (VR) using head-mounted displays (HMDs) is being successfully used in exposure- and distraction-based therapies; however, there is limited research on using HMDs for symptoms of neurological disorders. Objective This feasibility study aimed to assess whether VR using HMDs could be used to deliver tailored reminiscence therapy and examine the willingness to participate, response rates to measures, time taken to create tailored content, and technical problems. In addition, this study aimed to explore the immediate effects between verbal fluency and apathy after exposure to VR. Methods A mixed methods study was conducted in a sample of older adults residing in aged care, and 17 participants were recruited. Apathy was measured using the Apathy Evaluation Scale (AES), and verbal fluency was used as a proxy measure of improvements in apathy and debriefing interviews to assess feedback from participants. Side effects that can occur from using HMDs were also measured. Results We recruited participants from a high socioeconomic status setting with a high education level, and the participation rate was 85% (17/20); most responses to measures were positive. Access to a wide range of freely available content and the absence of technical difficulties made the delivery of a VR reminiscence intervention highly feasible. Participants had improved semantic scores (t14=−3.27; P=.006) but not phonemic fluency scores (t14=0.55; P=.59) immediately after the intervention. Those with higher levels of apathy demonstrated the greatest cognitive improvements after a VR reminiscence experience, which was indicated by a strong positive relationship between the AES and semantic verbal fluency change scores postminus pre-VR (r=0.719; 95% CI 0.327 to 0.900; P=.003). All participants enjoyed the experience despite 35% (6/17) of participants experiencing temporary side effects. Conclusions This study provides initial evidence that it is feasible to use VR with HMDs for therapy to treat symptoms of apathy in older adults in residential aged care. However, there is a need to closely monitor the side effects of HMD use in older adults. Further research is needed using an active control group to compare the use of VR with traditional forms of reminiscence therapy.

scholarly journals NEGATIVE SOCIAL SUPPORTS AND DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS AMONG OLDER ADULTS: A CROSS-LAGGED ANALYSIS

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S166-S166
Author(s):  
Nicholas Cone ◽  
Gina Lee ◽  
Peter Martin
Keyword(s):  
Social Support ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Family Member ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Social Supports ◽  
Interaction Effects ◽  
Older Age ◽  
Age Group

Abstract The purpose of the study was to examine how negative social supports and depressive symptoms affect older adults over time. A subsample of participants (N = 3,084) from the Health and Retirement Study was used in this study. Summary scores for each negative social supports (spouse, children, family members, and friends) and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) were used to conduct two cross-lagged regression analyses for each negative social support type from waves 2010 and 2014. Covariate variables for this study included gender, years of education, self-report of health, and age. Results were computed for two age groups (i.e., 65 to 79, and 80+). Results from both age groups indicated high stability for negative social supports and depressive symptoms from waves 1 to 2. The younger age group showed no significant cross-lag or interaction effects when stabilities were included or excluded in the analyses. However, in the older group, wave 2 negative child and family member social support was predicted by wave 1 depression scores. Moreover, the older age group showed significant interaction effects of age by CESD scores on negative child and family member social supports. In conclusion, initial depressive symptoms predict higher negative social supports in children and family members at a second time point in the older age group. Future research could examine whether depressive symptoms continue to predict negative social supports in new waves. In addition, other factors, such as loneliness, or anxiety, may provide further understanding into older adults’ negative social supports.

The Impact of Robotic Companion Pets on Depression and Loneliness for Older Adults with Dementia During the COVID-19 Pandemic

2021 ◽  
pp. 089801012110646
Author(s):  
Donna M. Fogelson ◽  
Carolyn Rutledge ◽  
Kathie S. Zimbro
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Pet Therapy ◽  
Meaningful Activity ◽  
Moderate Dementia ◽  
Positive Experiences ◽  
The Impact

Purpose: Differences in depression and loneliness, during the COVID-19 pandemic, for older adults with mild to moderate dementia living in residential care after interacting with a robotic companion dog or cat were explored. Experiences of family members and professional caregivers were also examined. Design: This study used a mixed research design with pre- and post-questionnaires on depression and loneliness. Method: Quantitative data exploring the impact of companion pets on depression and loneliness were collected from participants pre-intervention and at 3- and 6-week intervals. Qualitative data were collected during the 6-week study period, permitting researchers to explore the impact of robotic companion pets on participants, family members, and professional caregivers. Findings: Results indicated depression (χ2F(2)  =  21.29, p < 0.001) and loneliness (χ2F(2)  =  21.11, p < 0.001) improved. Moreover, participants were engaged with their companion pet, providing meaningful, activity and positive experiences. Conclusions: Robotic companion pet therapy, a holistic, nonpharmacologic animal-assisted therapy (AAT), changed the AAT landscape at the study site and provided an alternative option to live pet therapy during COVID-19. Participant interactions with their robotic companion pets enhanced their well-being and quality of life, especially during stringent COVID-19 restrictions and social isolation.

FAKTOR – FAKTOR YANG BERHUBUNGAN DENGAN KEJADIAN PNEUMONIA PADA BALITA DI WILAYAH KERJA PUSKESMAS WONOREJO SAMARINDA TAHUN 2017

2018 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 76
Author(s):  
Novi Anggun Pusvitasary
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Factors ◽  
Family Member ◽  
Cause Of Death ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Smoking Behavior ◽  
Smoking Habits ◽  
P Value ◽  
Behavioral Factors ◽  
The World ◽  
Health Standards

Pneumonia disease is the leading cause of death of babies in the world. The prevalence of pneumonia in infants is 18.5 / mil. Data from Samarinda City Health Office during the last 1 year there are 91 cases of pneumonia in Karang Anyar Village and 63 cases in Teluk Lerong Ulu Village. Factors causing pneumonia are toddler factors, behavioral factors, and environmental factors. The results show there is a relationship between house humidity (p value = 0,013; OR = 0,192), house dwelling density (p value = 0,024; OR = 0,214), and family member smoking behavior (p value = 0,006; OR = 10,450) with incidence of pneumonia in toddlers in the Working Area of Puskesmas Wonorejo Samarinda. There was no correlation between house temperature (p value = 0,214; OR = 0,337), house lighting (p value = 0,095; OR = 3,188) and family disease history (p value = 0,707; OR = 0,753) with Pneumonia occurrence in infant in region Work Puskesmas Wonorejo Samarinda. It was concluded that there was a relationship between house humidity, home dwelling density, and smoking behavior of family members with the incidence of pneumonia in infants. It is recommended to be able to apply housing health requirements that meet health standards to reduce the incidence of pneumonia in infants and change smoking habits.

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