scholarly journals Does Practicing with a Virtual Reality Driving Simulator Improve Spatial Cognition in Older Adults? A Pilot Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 ◽  
pp. 263310552096793
Author(s):  
Sogol Masoumzadeh ◽  
Zahra Moussavi
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Spatial Cognition ◽  
Driving Simulator ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Serious Game ◽  
Spatial Skills ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Water Test

Memory, cognition, executive functioning, and spatial cognition loss are prevalent in the normal aging process, but these impairments are observed more extensively in individuals with dementia, specifically Alzheimer’s disease. To improve the impaired functions, serious games targeting the lost functions are commonly developed and used in training programs. In this study, we designed a virtual reality driving simulator (VRDS) as a serious game with different difficulty levels for improving the spatial cognition; we evaluated it on 11 participants with different levels of dementia for two weeks, every day except weekends (10 sessions of practice in total) and 30 min/day. We assessed the participants’ spatial cognition before and after the intervention by an independent assessment (the VR replica of Morris Water test) and also by their performance playing the VRDS during the intervention. We also assessed the participants’ mood by a standard depression scale as well as their plausible experience of simulation sickness. The results showed significant improvement in Morris water test. The participants’ normalized correct trajectory (to find the target) was improved significantly by 44.4% at post-intervention with respect to baseline. Furthermore, on average, the participants progressed to higher (more challenging) levels of the game, and their spatial learning score increased throughout the sessions. Their mood also showed improvement with respect to baseline. Overall, the results hold promise for the designed VRDS as a mood-lifting and enhancing spatial skills serious game for older adults if it is played regularly. Trial Registry name: Investigating the Effect of Training with a Virtual Reality Driving Simulator URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04074655 Clinical Trials.gov ID: NCT04074655

scholarly journals The use of pre-operative virtual reality to reduce anxiety in women undergoing gynecological surgeries: a prospective cohort study

2020 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason Ju In Chan ◽  
Cheng Teng Yeam ◽  
Hwei Min Kee ◽  
Chin Wen Tan ◽  
Rehena Sultana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Breathing Exercises ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Anxiety Depression

Abstract Background Pre-operative anxiety is common and is associated with negative surgical outcomes. Virtual reality (VR) is a promising new technology that offers opportunities to modulate patient experience and cognition and has been shown to be associated with lower levels of anxiety. In this study, we investigated changes in pre-operative anxiety levels before and after using VR in patients undergoing minor gynecological surgery. Methods Patients who underwent elective minor gynecological surgeries in KK Women’s and Children’s hospital, Singapore were recruited. The VR intervention consisted of 10-min exposure via a headset loaded with sceneries, background meditation music and breathing exercises. For the primary outcome of pre-operative anxiety, patients were assessed at pre- and post-intervention using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Secondary outcomes of self-reported satisfaction scores and EuroQol 5-dimension 3-level (EQ-5D-3L) were also collected. Results Data analysis from 108 patients revealed that HADS anxiety scores were significantly reduced from 7.2 ± 3.3 pre-intervention to 4.6 ± 3.0 post-intervention (p < 0.0001). Furthermore, HADS depression scores were significantly reduced from 4.7 ± 3.3 pre-intervention to 2.9 ± 2.5 post-intervention (p < 0.0001). Eighty-two percent of the patients self-reported VR intervention as ‘Good’ or ‘Excellent’. EQ-5D-3L showed significant changes in dimensions of ‘usual activities’ (p = 0.025), ‘pain/discomfort’ (p = 0.008) and ‘anxiety/ depression’ (p < 0.0001). Conclusions For patients undergoing minor gynecological procedures, the VR intervention brought about a significant reduction in pre-operative anxiety. This finding may be clinically important to benefit patients with high pre-operative anxiety without the use of anxiolytics. Trial registration This study was registered on clinicaltrials.gov registry (NCT03685422) on 26 Sep 2018.

scholarly journals The use of pre-operative virtual reality to reduce anxiety in women undergoing gynaecological surgeries:  a prospective cohort study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason Ju In Chan ◽  
Cheng Teng Yeam ◽  
Hwei Min Kee ◽  
Chin Wen Tan ◽  
Rehena Sultana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Breathing Exercises ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Anxiety Depression

Abstract Background: Pre-operative anxiety is common and is associated with negative surgical outcomes. Virtual reality (VR) is a promising new technology that offers opportunities to modulate patient experience and cognition and has been shown to be associated with lower levels of anxiety. In this study, we investigated changes in pre-operative anxiety levels before and after using VR in patients undergoing minor gynecological surgery. Methods: Patients who underwent elective minor gynecological surgeries in KK Women’s and Children’s hospital, Singapore were recruited. The VR intervention consisted of 10-minute exposure via a headset loaded with sceneries, background meditation music and breathing exercises. For the primary outcome of pre-operative anxiety, patients were assessed at pre- and post-intervention using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Secondary outcomes of self-reported satisfaction scores and EurQol 5-dimension 3-level (EQ-5D-3L) were also collected. Results: Data analysis from 108 patients revealed that HADS anxiety scores were significantly reduced from 7.2 ± 3.3 pre-intervention to 4.6 ± 3.0 post-intervention (p<0.0001). Furthermore, HADS depression scores were significantly reduced from 4.7 ± 3.3 pre-intervention to 2.9 ± 2.5 post-intervention (p<0.0001). Eighty-two percent of the patients self-reported VR intervention as ‘Good’ or ‘Excellent’. EQ-5D-3L showed no significant changes in dimensions of ‘mobility’ (p=0.32) or ‘self-care’ (p=NA) but significant changes in dimensions of ‘usual activities’ (p=0.025), ‘pain/discomfort’ (p=0.008) and ‘anxiety/ depression’ (p<0.0001). Conclusions: For patients undergoing minor gynecological procedures, the VR intervention brought about a significant reduction in pre-operative anxiety. This finding may be clinically important to benefit patients with high pre-operative anxiety without the use of anxiolytics. Future studies could include large scale randomized controlled trials in multiple surgical populations. Trial registration: This study was registered on clinicaltrials.gov registry (NCT03685422) on 26 Sep 2018.

scholarly journals The use of pre-operative virtual reality to reduce anxiety in women undergoing gynaecological surgeries:  a prospective cohort study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason Ju In Chan ◽  
Cheng Teng Yeam ◽  
Hwei Min Kee ◽  
Chin Wen Tan ◽  
Rehena Sultana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Hospital Anxiety ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Breathing Exercises ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Anxiety Depression

Abstract Background: Pre-operative anxiety is common and is associated with negative surgical outcomes. Virtual reality (VR) is a promising new technology that offers opportunities to modulate patient experience and cognition and has been shown to be associated with lower levels of anxiety. In this study, we investigated changes in pre-operative anxiety levels before and after using VR in patients undergoing minor gynecological surgery. Methods: Patients who underwent elective minor gynecological surgeries in KK Women’s and Children’s hospital, Singapore were recruited. The VR intervention consisted of 10-minute exposure via a headset loaded with sceneries, background meditation music and breathing exercises. For the primary outcome of pre-operative anxiety, patients were assessed at pre- and post-intervention using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Secondary outcomes of self-reported satisfaction scores and EurQol 5-dimension 3-level (EQ-5D-3L) were also collected. Results: Data analysis from 108 patients revealed that HADS anxiety scores were significantly reduced from 7.2 ± 3.3 pre-intervention to 4.6 ± 3.0 post-intervention (p<0.0001). Furthermore, HADS depression scores were significantly reduced from 4.7 ± 3.3 pre-intervention to 2.9 ± 2.5 post-intervention (p<0.0001). Eighty-two percent of the patients self-reported VR intervention as ‘Good’ or ‘Excellent’. EQ-5D-3L showed significant changes in dimensions of ‘usual activities’ (p=0.025), ‘pain/discomfort’ (p=0.008) and ‘anxiety/ depression’ (p<0.0001). Conclusions: For patients undergoing minor gynecological procedures, the VR intervention brought about a significant reduction in pre-operative anxiety. This finding may be clinically important to benefit patients with high pre-operative anxiety without the use of anxiolytics. Trial registration: This study was registered on clinicaltrials.gov registry (NCT03685422) on 26 Sep 2018.

scholarly journals The use of pre-operative Virtual Reality to reduce anxiety in women undergoing gynecological surgeries: a prospective cohort study

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jason Ju In Chan ◽  
Cheng Teng Yeam ◽  
Hwei Min Kee ◽  
Chin Wen Tan ◽  
Rehena Sultana ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Primary Outcome ◽  
New Technology ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Hospital Anxiety ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Breathing Exercises ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Anxiety Depression

Abstract Background: Pre-operative anxiety is common and is associated with negative surgical outcomes. Virtual reality (VR) is a promising new technology that offers opportunities to modulate patient experience and cognition and has been shown to be associated with lower levels of anxiety. In this study, we investigated changes in pre-operative anxiety levels before and after using VR in patients undergoing minor gynecological surgery. Methods: Patients who underwent elective minor gynecological surgeries in KK Women’s and Children’s hospital, Singapore were recruited. The VR intervention consisted of 10-minute exposure via a headset loaded with sceneries, background meditation music and breathing exercises. For the primary outcome of pre-operative anxiety, patients were assessed at pre- and post-intervention using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS). Secondary outcomes of self-reported satisfaction scores and EurQol 5-dimension 3-level (EQ-5D-3L) were also collected. Results: Data analysis from 108 patients revealed that HADS anxiety scores were significantly reduced from 7.2 ± 3.3 pre-intervention to 4.6 ± 3.0 post-intervention (p<0.0001). Furthermore, HADS depression scores were significantly reduced from 4.7 ± 3.3 pre-intervention to 2.9 ± 2.5 post-intervention (p<0.0001). Eighty-two percent of the patients self-reported VR intervention as ‘Good’ or ‘Excellent’. EQ-5D-3L showed significant changes in dimensions of ‘usual activities’ (p=0.025), ‘pain/discomfort’ (p=0.008) and ‘anxiety/ depression’ (p<0.0001). Conclusions: For patients undergoing minor gynecological procedures, the VR intervention brought about a significant reduction in pre-operative anxiety. This finding may be clinically important to benefit patients with high pre-operative anxiety without the use of anxiolytics. Trial registration: This study was registered on clinicaltrials.gov registry (NCT03685422) on 26 Sep 2018.

scholarly journals Developing a Spatial-Skills-Focused Music Program for Older Adults With Changes in Cognition

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 291-292
Author(s):  
Jennie Dorris ◽  
Juleen Rodakowski
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Abilities ◽  
Rank Test ◽  
Music Notation ◽  
Spatial Skills ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Professional Musicians ◽  
Cognitive Changes ◽  
Music Program ◽  
Orientation Test

Abstract Older adults with cognitive changes need stimulating programming to maximize their cognitive abilities. One area to maximize includes spatial skills, its decline can lead to disorientation and wandering. Music has potential to maximize spatial skills: reading music’s notation is associated with enhanced spatial skills in children and professional musicians. It’s critical to understand the potential impact of a spatially focused music program for older adults with changing cognition; if successful, future music programs could support people staying orientated in their environments and living independently longer. We developed and assessed a six-week marimba program focused on reading music with 15 older adults ages 65-89 with changes in cognition. We compared their scores on the Orientation Test from the Test of Visual Perceptual Skills pre- and post-intervention and assessed if participants self-selected to read music notation. Participants scored an average Modified Mini Mental State Examination (3MSE) score of 81.3 (SD = 11.0). On average, participants’ scores on the Orientation Test moved from 13.4 (SD =1.9) to 14.1 (SD= 2.7), providing a cohen’s d effect size of 0.3. Over the six weeks, 11 out of the 15 participants selected to read music for at least one class, indicating a statistically significant change using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test (Z = -3.16, p &lt; 0.01), suggesting that older adults with cognitive changes may be able to learn to read music. This is important, as a spatially focused music program may maximize spatial skills that older adults need to successfully navigate their world safely and independently.

Using a Virtual Reality Serious Game to Assess the Performance of Older Adults with Frailty

2020 ◽  
pp. 127-139
Author(s):  
Ioannis Paliokas ◽  
Elias Kalamaras ◽  
Konstantinos Votis ◽  
Stefanos Doumpoulakis ◽  
Eftychia Lakka ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Serious Game

scholarly journals Use of digital game therapy among elderly persons undergoing dialytic treatment: cognitive aspects and depressive symptoms

2018 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 447-455
Author(s):  
Sirlei Ricarte Bento ◽  
Ana Carolina Ottaviani ◽  
Allan Gustavo Brigola ◽  
Vânia Paula de Almeida Neris ◽  
Fabiana de Souza Orlandi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Depressive Symptom ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Depression Scale ◽  
Elderly Persons ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Therapeutic Game ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Before And After ◽  
The Mean

Abstract Objective :to evaluate the presence of depressive symptoms and cognitive disorders before and after an intervention program with a digital therapeutic game among elderly persons undergoing hemodialysis. Method: a quasi-experimental study was carried out with 26 elderly patients on hemodialysis. For the data collection, a questionnaire relating to sociodemographic and health conditions, the Geriatric Depression Scale - 15 items and Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination Revised were used. The intervention with the digital therapeutic game was performed over 5 sessions. Results: of the participants, 80.8% were male, with a mean age of 66.7 (± 5.8) years. The mean pre-intervention depressive symptom score was 3.9 (± 3.0) while post-intervention it was 2.8 (± 2.9), representing a statistically significant difference (p = 0.005). Regarding cognitive function, there was no statistically significant difference before and after the intervention. There was a statistically significant difference in the mean of the depressive symptom scores, which were lower after the intervention. In addition, there was no statistically significant difference in the mean of the cognitive assessments. Conclusion: intervention studies with patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment are still scarce and this study describes the positive results of an intervention with a digital therapeutic game, demonstrating improvement in the depressive symptoms of the participants.

Effects of virtual reality-based spatial cognitive training on hippocampal function of older adults with mild cognitive impairment

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-7
Author(s):  
Jin-Hyuck Park
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Mild Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Episodic Memory ◽  
Spatial Cognition ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Verbal Learning ◽  
Cognitive Intervention ◽  
Hippocampal Function

ABSTRACT Background: To date, there is a controversy on effects of cognitive intervention to maintain or improve hippocampal function for older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Objective: The main objective of this study was to exam effects of virtual reality-based spatial cognitive training (VR-SCT) using VR on hippocampal function of older adults with MCI. Method: Fifty-six older adults with MCI were randomly allocated to the experimental group (EG) that received the VR-SCT or the waitlist control group (CG) for a total of 24 sessions. To investigate effects of the VR-SCT on spatial cognition and episodic memory, the Weschsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised Block Design Test (WAIS-BDT) and the Seoul Verbal Learning Test (SVLT) were used. Results: During the sessions, the training performances gradually increased (p < .001). After the intervention, the EG showed significant greater improvements in the WAIS-BDT (p < .001, η2 = .667) and recall of the SVLT (p < .05, η2 =.094) compared to the CG but in recognition of the SVLT (p > .05, η2 =.001). Conclusion: These results suggest that the VR-SCT might be clinically beneficial to enhance spatial cognition and episodic memory of older adults with MCI.

scholarly journals 0341 Preliminary Effects of a Music Intervention on Actigraphy-Measured Sleep Among Older Adults with Dementia

SLEEP ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. A129-A129
Author(s):  
C Mu ◽  
S Lee ◽  
P G Risal ◽  
T F Vigoureux ◽  
J Bugos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Assisted Living ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Music Intervention ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Sleep Health ◽  
Research Award ◽  
Florida Department ◽  
Intervention Protocol ◽  
Before And After

Abstract Introduction Music may benefit sleep and daytime alertness by decreasing stress, increasing attention, and potentially, slowing the progression of dementia. This study examined preliminary effects of a group-based music intervention on sleep health among older adults with dementia. Methods Participants were older adults with dementia living in an assisted living facility (n=9; Mage=80.11; Mrange=63−89 years). Cohort 1 (n=4) received the intervention in the morning and cohort 2 (n=5) received the intervention in the afternoon. Participants completed a 4-week intervention protocol (12 sessions) along with a one-week actigraphy sleep assessment before and after the intervention. Informed by sleep literature, we constructed a composite sleep health score encompassing Regularity, Satisfaction or quality, Alertness, Timing, Efficiency, and Duration (higher scores indicating more daily sleep problems). Using descriptive statistics and multilevel modeling, we evaluated preliminary effects of the intervention on overall sleep health and each of the sleep dimensions. Results Six out of nine participants exhibited a decrease in overall sleep problems at post-intervention. All 4 participants in cohort 1 showed improvement in overall sleep health at post-intervention. Specifically, in cohort 1, participants exhibited a decline in nightly sleep problems, decreased daytime nap duration, and number of naps. In contrast, while two out of five participants in cohort 2 exhibited improvement in overall sleep health, the remainder of the participants exhibited no improvement in daily sleep problems, especially in nap domains. Across cohorts, those younger in age, with vascular dementia, lower weight, and not taking sleep or hypertension related medications tended to respond better to the intervention. Conclusion Our preliminary results demonstrate the feasibility and potential benefit of a group-based music intervention in improving overall sleep health among older patients with dementia. Implications for conducting community-based non-pharmacological interventions to improve sleep and daytime functioning among older adults with dementia will be discussed. Support This work was supported, in part, by the Florida Department of Health Ed and Ethel Moore Alzheimer’s Disease Research Award (PI: Meng, Grant #9AZ28).

scholarly journals Virtual Reality (VR)-Based Environmental Enrichment in Older Adults with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and Mild Dementia

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 1103
Author(s):  
Waleed Riaz ◽  
Zain Yar Khan ◽  
Ali Jawaid ◽  
Suleman Shahid
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Environmental Enrichment ◽  
Mental Wellbeing ◽  
Mild Dementia ◽  
Error Ratio ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Vr Training ◽  
Input Error

Background: Despite an alarming rise in the global prevalence of dementia, the available modalities for improving cognition and mental wellbeing of dementia patients remain limited. Environmental enrichment is an experimental paradigm that has shown promising anti-depressive and memory-enhancing effects in pre-clinical studies. However, its clinical utility has remained limited due to the lack of effective implementation strategies. Objective: The primary objective of this study was to evaluate the usability (tolerability and interactivity) of a long-term virtual reality (VR)- based environmental enrichment training program in older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and mild dementia. A secondary objective was to assess the effect of VR-based environmental enrichment on stabilization of cognitive functioning and improvement of mental wellbeing in older adults with MCI and mild dementia. Methods: A total of seven participants (four patients with MCI and three with mild dementia) received biweekly VR-based environmental enrichment over a course of 6 months. The tolerability and interactivity of the participants in the VR training was serially assessed via virtual reality sickness questionnaire (VRSQ) and recording of input-error ratio. Cognitive functioning was assessed through Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) before and after the study. Mental wellbeing was assessed through Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well Being Scale (WEMWBS). Results: VR-based environmental enrichment was well-tolerated by the patients with significant decrease in VRSQ scores (p < 0.01) and input-error ratio (p < 0.001) overtime. VR training was also effective in stabilization of MoCA scores over the course of therapy (non-significant difference in the MoCA scores before and after the therapy) and was associated with a trend (p < 0.1) towards improvement in WEMWBS scores between the first and the last assessments. Qualitative observations by the care-givers further corroborated a noticeable improvement in mental wellbeing of patients. Conclusions: This pilot study shows that VR can be a feasible, tolerable, and potentially effective tool in long-term support of older adults with MCI and mild dementia.

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