scholarly journals Developing a virtual reality for people with dementia in nursing homes based on their psychological needs: a feasibility study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jung-Hee Kim ◽  
Seonmin Park ◽  
Hyeongji Lim

Abstract Background The purpose of this study was (1) to develop a virtual reality (VR) intervention program based on the psychological needs of patients residing in nursing facilities in South Korea to alleviate their behavioral and psychological symptoms and (2) to confirm the possibility of utilizing VR in patients with dementia. Methods In the first phase, patients with dementia residing in nursing homes and experiencing behavioral and psychological symptoms were recruited. Surveys and questionnaires were used to identify activities that alleviated the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) among the patients. These activities were classified into five types of psychological needs. In the second phase, a fully immersive, interactive, easy-to-use VR platform was developed that reflected these psychological needs. Patients with dementia experienced the VR content. The researchers assessed the level of the participants’ immersion, preference, and interaction with the VR using a 5-point Likert scale. Results In the feasibility test, 10 nursing home residents were recruited. The mean immersion score was 4.93 ± 0.16 points, the mean preference score was 4.35 ± 0.41 points, and the mean interaction score was 3.84 ± 0.43 points using a 5-point Likert scale. Higher mean scores indicated a more positive outcome. Six of the 10 participants required assistance while using the VR. The mean VR experience duration was 10.00 ± 3.46 min. Conclusions The VR-based intervention program that was developed to reduce BPSD was feasible for the participants and provided them with a high degree of satisfaction and immersion. Furthermore, this study also confirmed the convenience and safety of the program. These findings support the potential use of VR-based BPSD intervention programs to treat patients with dementia.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jung-Hee Kim ◽  
Seonmin Park ◽  
Hyeongji Lim

Abstract BackgroundPurpose of this study was to develop a virtual reality (VR) intervention program based on the psychological needs of patients with dementia and mild cognitive impairment residing in nursing facilities in Korea to relieve their behavioral and psychological symptoms, and to confirm the possibility of utilizing VR in patients with dementia and mild cognitive impairment.MethodsIn the first phase, surveys and questionnaires were used to identify activities that relieved the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) among patients. These activities were classified into five types of psychological needs. In the second phase, a fully immersive, interactive, easy-to-use VR platform was developed that reflected these psychological needs. The VR content was used with patients with dementia and mild cognitive impairment. The researchers assessed the level of the participants’ immersion, preference, and interaction with the VR, using a 5-point Likert scale. ResultsIn the feasibility test, the mean immersion score was 4.93 ± 0.16 points, the mean preference score was 4.35 ± 0.41 points, and the mean interaction score was 3.84 ± 0.43 points. Six out of 10 participants required assistance while using the VR. The mean VR experience duration was 10.00 ± 3.46 minutes.ConclusionsThe VR-based intervention program that was developed to reduce BPSD was feasible for the participants, and provided them with a high degree of satisfaction and immersion. Furthermore, this study also confirmed the convenience and safety of the program. These findings provide evidence for the potential of VR to provide BPSD intervention programs for patients with dementia and mild cognitive impairment, and potentially for other geriatric conditions.


2022 ◽  
pp. 115-140
Author(s):  
Tiago Coelho

Dementia is characterized by significant cognitive deterioration, behavioral and psychological symptoms, and expanding disability. The well-being of people with dementia is influenced by the support provided by caregivers and health professionals. Especially in the past two decades, advancements in digital technology have helped reshape the way care and treatment are delivered. The main goal of the chapter is to describe technological solutions aimed at supporting the independence and safe participation of people with dementia in meaningful activities, as well as promoting their involvement in engaging experiences that seek to delay cognitive decline and diminish behavioral and psychological symptoms. These technologies include distributed systems, robotics, wearable devices, application software, and virtual reality.


2017 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnes Lindbo ◽  
Maria Gustafsson ◽  
Ulf Isaksson ◽  
Per-Olof Sandman ◽  
Hugo Lövheim

Author(s):  
Vaillant Ciszewicz AJ ◽  
◽  
Guerin O ◽  

Older people living in nursing homes often present with psychological symptoms such as depression, anxiety and apathy. Numerous studies focused on the effects of Virtual Reality (VR) in the older population. This innovative approach could lead to a significant reduction in psychological disorders in older adults and improve their quality of life.


2021 ◽  
pp. 019394592110557
Author(s):  
Melissa L. Harris ◽  
Marita G. Titler

Although behavioral and psychological symptoms are burdensome for people with dementia and their caregivers, perceptions of family caregivers regarding management of these symptoms are unclear. This study explored the experiences of family caregivers regarding behavioral and psychological symptoms experienced by relatives with dementia, management of these symptoms, and changes in their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. A qualitative, exploratory approach using constant comparative methods was used; 21 family caregivers were interviewed virtually. The following 10 major themes emerged: (1) Emotional and psychological experiences of caregiver, (2) emotional, psychological, and behavioral responses of person with dementia, (3) cognition of person with dementia, (4) loss, (5) concerns for the future, (6) reliance, (7) learning to caregive, (8) rewarding aspects of caregiving, (9) caregiver perspectives, and (10) care strategies. Caregivers described many challenges to care before and during the pandemic. Acceptable and effective care strategies are needed to promote the well-being of families living with dementia.


2010 ◽  
Vol 4 (3) ◽  
pp. 238-244 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ari Pedro Balieiro Jr. ◽  
Emmanuelle Silva Tavares Sobreira ◽  
Marina Ceres Silva Pena ◽  
José Humberto Silva-Filho ◽  
Francisco de Assis Carvalho do Vale

Abstract The aim of this study was to analyze the relationship between Caregiver Distress and Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms in Dementias (BPSD) in mild Alzheimer's disease. Methods: Fifty patients and caregivers were interviewed using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI). Results: 96.0% of the patients had at least one BPSD. The mean NPI total score was 19.6 (SD=18.05; range=0-78) whereas the mean Caregiver Distress Index (CDI) total score was 11.5 (SD=10.41; range=0-40). For the individual symptoms, the weighted mean CDI was 2.8 (SD=1.58). All symptom CDI means were higher than 2.0 except for euphoria/elation (m=1.8; SD=1.49). There were correlations between CDI and derived measures (Frequency, Severity, FxS, and Amplitude) for all symptoms, except Disinhibition and Night-time behavior. Correlations ranged between 0.443 and 0.894, with significance at p<0.05. Conclusions: All the derived measures, including amplitude, were useful in at least some cases. The data suggests that CDI cannot be inferred from symptom presence or profile. Symptoms should be systematically investigated.


2011 ◽  
Vol 23 (10) ◽  
pp. 1616-1622 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hugo Lövheim ◽  
Yngve Gustafson ◽  
Stig Karlsson ◽  
Per-Olof Sandman

ABSTRACTBackground: Behavioral and psychological symptoms, such as verbal or physical aggression, aberrant motor behaviors, psychotic symptoms, anxiety, depressive symptoms and apathy are common among people with dementia. The aim of the present study was to compare the one-week prevalence of behavioral and psychological symptoms and psychotropic drug treatment among people with cognitive impairment living in institutional care, in two large, comparable samples from 2000 and 2007.Methods: A comparison was made between two cross-sectional samples, collected in 2000 and 2007, comprising 4054 participants with cognitive impairment living in geriatric care units in the county of Västerbotten, Sweden. The Multi-Dimensional Dementia Assessment Scale (MDDAS) was used to assess cognitive impairment and behavioral and psychological symptoms. The use of psychotropic drugs was recorded.Results: Between 2000 and 2007, 15 out of 39 behavioral or psychological symptoms had become less common and no symptoms had become more common, after controlling for demographic changes. Four out of six behaviors within the cluster of aggressive behaviors had declined in prevalence. Patients prescribed anti-dementia drugs increased from 5.1% to 18.0% and antidepressant drug use increased from 43.2% to 49.1%, while anxiolytic, hypnotic, sedative and antipsychotic drug use remained largely unchanged.Conclusion: The prevalence of many behavioral symptoms had declined from 2000 to 2007, and among these changes, the decline in aggressive behaviors probably has the greatest clinical impact.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. 263-263
Author(s):  
Benjamin Mast ◽  
Gail Mountain ◽  
Ann Kolanowski ◽  
Esme Moniz-Cook ◽  
Margareta Halek ◽  
...  

Abstract Behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia are increasingly being reconceptualized as expressions of distress and unmet needs. Measures that evaluate context are needed to increase our understanding of factors that influence these expressions. This review evaluated measures for two common behavioral states that are experienced as challenging for caregivers: apathy and resistance to care. A systematic literature search identified measures of apathy or resistance to care for people living with dementia. Eight measures of apathy and three measures of resistance to care were identified. Reliability and validity of these measures were evaluated using the COSMIN framework, as well as reported contextual factors within which the behavior occurs. The identified measures had fair to good reliability and validity in people living with dementia. However, available measures need to move beyond symptomatic constructs for this complex paradigm, and toward the varied interpersonal and contextual factors associated with behavioral expression.


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