scholarly journals Effects of Semi-Immersive Virtual Reality-Based Cognitive Training Combined with Locomotor Activity on Cognitive Function and Gait Ability in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

Healthcare ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (7) ◽  
pp. 814
Author(s):  
Na-Kyoung Hwang ◽  
Jong-Bae Choi ◽  
Dae-Kil Choi ◽  
Jae-Min Park ◽  
Chang-Wan Hong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Locomotor Activity ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Immersive Virtual Reality ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults ◽  
Experimental Group

This study aimed to investigate the effects of semi-immersive virtual reality-based cognitive training (VRCT) combined with locomotor activity on cognitive function, balance, and gait ability in older adults. Eighteen community-dwelling older adults participated in this study. Subjects who met the selection criteria were assigned to an experimental group (n = 9) and a control group (n = 9). The experimental group received VRCT combined with locomotor activity for 30 min a day, three times a week, for 6 weeks. The control group received tabletop activity-based cognitive training for the same amount of time. Before and after the training, the Korean Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE), Trail Making Test (TMT; A and B), and Digit Span Test (DST; forward and backward) were used to evaluate cognitive function; and the Timed Up and Go (TUG) test and 10-m Walking Test (10MWT) were used to evaluate the improvement in the balance and gait ability parameters. After the intervention, the experimental group showed a significantly greater improvement in the TMT-A (p = 0.045) and DST-backward (p = 0.012) scores compared with the control group. Regarding the gait ability variable, the experimental group showed a significant improvement in the 10MWT test (p = 0.001). This study confirmed that semi-immersive VRCT combined with locomotor activity is useful for improving cognitive function and gait ability in older adults. Therefore, VRCT combined with locomotor activity can be used as a simultaneous intervention for cognitive rehabilitation and functional capacity improvement in older adults.

scholarly journals The Effectiveness of a Dyadic Pain Management Program for Community-Dwelling Older Adults with Chronic Pain: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (14) ◽  
pp. 4966
Author(s):  
Ziyan Li ◽  
Mimi Tse ◽  
Angel Tang
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Chronic Pain ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
The Elderly ◽  
Management Program ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Pain Management Program ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults ◽  
Experimental Group

Background: Chronic pain is a major health problem among older adults and their informal caregivers, which has negative effects on their physical and psychological status. The dyadic pain management program (DPMP) is provided to community-dwelling older adults and informal caregivers to help the dyads reduce pain symptoms, improve the quality of life, develop good exercise habits, as well as cope and break the vicious circle of pain. Methods: A pilot randomized controlled trial was designed and all the dyads were randomly divided into two groups: the DPMP group and control group. Dyads in the DPMP group participated in an 8-week DPMP (4-week face-to-face program and 4-week home-based program), whereas dyads in the control group received one page of simple pain-related information. Results: In total, 64 dyads participated in this study. For baseline comparisons, no significant differences were found between the two groups. After the interventions, the pain score was significantly reduced from 4.25 to 2.57 in the experimental group, respectively. In the repeated measures ANOVA, the differences in pain score (F = 107.787, p < 0.001, d = 0.777) was statistically significant for the group-by-time interaction. After the interventions, the experimental group participants demonstrated significantly higher pain self-efficacy compared with the control group (F = 80.535, p < 0.001, d = 0.722). Furthermore, the elderly increased exercise time significantly (F = 111.212, p < 0.001, d = 0.782) and reported developing good exercise habits. Conclusions: These results provide preliminary support for the effectiveness of a DPMP for relieving the symptoms of chronic pain among the elderly.

Virtual Reality Training With Three-Dimensional Video Games Improves Postural Balance and Lower Extremity Strength in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 621-627 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yongwoo Lee ◽  
Wonjae Choi ◽  
Kyeongjin Lee ◽  
Changho Song ◽  
Seungwon Lee
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Postural Balance ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Virtual Reality Training ◽  
Lower Extremity Strength ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults ◽  
Experimental Group

Avatar-based three-dimensional technology is a new approach to improve physical function in older adults. The aim of this study was to use three-dimensional video gaming technology in virtual reality training to improve postural balance and lower extremity strength in a population of community-dwelling older adults. The experimental group participated in the virtual reality training program for 60 min, twice a week, for 6 weeks. Both experimental and control groups were given three times for falls prevention education at the first, third, and fifth weeks. The experimental group showed significant improvements not only in static and dynamic postural balance but also lower extremity strength (p < .05). Furthermore, the experimental group was improved to overall parameters compared with the control group (p < .05). Therefore, three-dimensional video gaming technology might be beneficial for improving postural balance and lower extremity strength in community-dwelling older adults.

scholarly journals Immersive Virtual Reality for the Management of Pain in Community-Dwelling Older Adults

2018 ◽  
Vol 39 (2) ◽  
pp. 90-96 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Benham ◽  
Minhee Kang ◽  
Namrata Grampurohit
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
World Health ◽  
Immersive Virtual Reality ◽  
Quality Of Life Scale ◽  
Patient Reported ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Immersive virtual reality (VR) can provide a high level of engagement and distraction analgesia to address pain. However, community-based applications of this technology for older adults have not been studied. The objective of this study was to examine the applicability and effectiveness of an immersive VR intervention for pain, depression, and quality of life (QOL) in older adults. This pretest–posttest, mixed-methods design included senior center members ( n = 12) with pain that interfered with daily functioning. The outcomes included the Numeric Pain Rating Scale, Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS®) depression scale, World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale Brief Version (WHO QOL-BREF), and open-ended questions. The VR intervention (15- to 45-min sessions, 12 sessions over 6 weeks) was well accepted with no dropouts. There was a significant decrease in pain ( p = .002, d = −1.54) with no effect on depression and QOL. There were no adverse effects, and positive perceptions of VR were reported. The 6-week immersive VR intervention was applicable and effective in reducing pain intensity for community-dwelling older adults.

scholarly journals The Effects of a Combination of 3D Virtual Reality and Hands-on Horticultural Activities on Community-dwelling Older Adults’ Mental Health: A Quasi-Experimental Study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ching-Chih Fan ◽  
Cheuk-Sing Choy ◽  
Chiu-Mieh Huang ◽  
Po-Sheng Chih ◽  
Chia-Chiang Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Hands On ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults ◽  
Experimental Group

Abstract Background: Aging societies are of public health concern worldwide. It is critical to develop strategies that harness technology to enhance older adults’ mental health.Methods: This study aimed to explore the effects of a combination of 3D virtual reality (VR) and hands-on horticultural activities on the mental health of community-dwelling older adults. The study used a quasi-experimental design. A total of 62 community-dwelling older adults were recruited and assigned to the experimental (n=32) and comparison groups (n=30). The members of the experimental group participated in an 8-week intervention program. Participants of both groups completed before-and-after intervention measurements for outcome variables that included perceived self-esteem, depression, isolation, mastery and achievement motives, which were analyzed using the generalized estimating equation (GEE). Results: GEE analyses indicated that the experimental group showed significant post intervention improvements in scores for self-esteem (β=1.66, P= .015), isolation (β=-0.96, P= .008), mastery (β=1.04, P= .042), and achievement motives (β=1.30, P=.034) compared to the control group.Conclusions: This study found beneficial effects of a combination of three-dimensional virtual reality and hands-on horticultural activities on community-dwelling older adults’ mental health. These findings suggest that future implementations of this program on a large scale could improve the mental health of older adults. Trial Registration: The study was posted in the www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT05087654) on 21/10/2021. It was approved by the Institutional Review Board of En Chu Kong Hospital and performed in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.

scholarly journals Effects of Community-Based Physical-Cognitive Training, Health Education, and Reablement among Rural Community-Dwelling Older Adults with Mobility Deficits

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (17) ◽  
pp. 9374
Author(s):  
Chen-Yi Song ◽  
Pay-Shin Lin ◽  
Pei-Lun Hung ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Health Education ◽  
Cognitive Training ◽  
Rural Community ◽  
Functional Independence ◽  
Performance Measure ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Community Based ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Reablement services are approaches for maintaining and improving the functional independence of older adults. Previous reablement studies were conducted in a home environment. Due to the limited evidence on the effects of multicomponent interventions and reablement in a community-based context, this study aimed to develop and evaluate the effect of community-based physical–cognitive training, health education, and reablement (PCHER) among rural community-dwelling older adults with mobility deficits. The trial was conducted in rural areas of New Taipei City, Taiwan. Older adults with mild to moderate mobility deficits were recruited from six adult daycare centers, and a cluster assignment was applied in a counterbalanced order. The experimental group (n = 16) received a PCHER intervention, comprising 1.5 h of group courses and 1 h of individualized reablement training, while the control group (n = 12) underwent PCHE intervention, comprising 1.5 h of group courses and 1 h of placebo treatment. A 2.5-h training session was completed weekly for 10 weeks. The outcome measures contained the de Morton Mobility Index (DEMMI), the Saint Louis University Mental Status (SLUMS) Examination, the Barthel Index (BI), the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), and the Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM). The PCHER significantly improved the DEMMI, SLUMS, BI, SPPB, and COPM (all p < 0.05), with medium-to-large effect sizes. PCHER also showed an advantage over PCHE in terms of the SPPB (p = 0.02). This study verified that combining individualized reablement with group-based multicomponent training was superior to group courses alone in enhancing the functional abilities of community-dwelling older adults with mobility deficits.

Simplified olfactory reminiscence to help maintain the mental health in community-dwelling older adults

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Hideaki Hanaoka ◽  
Toshiaki Muraki ◽  
Fumiko Kaneko ◽  
Shingo Yamane ◽  
Hitoshi Okamura
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Cognitive Function ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Analysis Of Covariance ◽  
Cognitive Test ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults

Abstract The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of simplified reminiscence practice using olfactory stimuli on depression and cognitive function in community-dwelling older adults in Japan. Accordingly, 61 individuals were randomly divided into two groups. In the intervention group, 12 sessions of reminiscence were performed using olfactory cards. In the control group, reminiscence sessions were similarly performed, but with language cards. The Geriatric Depression Scale-15 (GDS-15) was used to measure mental health status and the Five Cognitive Test was used to measure cognitive function at baseline and after completion of the intervention. The final sample included 27 participants in the intervention group and 23 participants in the control group. Basic characteristics of the participants at baseline were compared and a significant difference was observed between the two groups in age (p = 0.029). Repeated-measures analysis of covariance with age as the covariate revealed a significant interaction between time and group on the GDS-15 (p = 0.04). Furthermore, a before and after comparison using a paired t-test showed a significant difference only in the intervention group (p = 0.01). The results of this study suggest that simplified reminiscence practice using olfactory cards could serve as an intervention to help maintain the mental health of community-dwelling older adults.

The Effects of a Combination of 3D Virtual Reality and Hands-on Horticultural Activities on Community-dwelling Older Adults’ Mental Health: A Quasi-Experimental Study (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ching-Chih Fan ◽  
Cheuk-Sing Choy ◽  
Chiu-Mieh Huang ◽  
Po-Sheng Chih ◽  
Chia-Chiang Lee ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Older Adults ◽  
Virtual Reality ◽  
Self Esteem ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Hands On ◽  
Quasi Experimental ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults ◽  
Experimental Group

BACKGROUND Aging societies are of public health concern worldwide. It is critical to develop strategies that harness technology to enhance older adults’ mental health. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to explore the effects of a combination of 3D virtual reality (VR) and hands-on horticultural activities on the mental health of community-dwelling older adults. METHODS The study used a quasi-experimental design. A total of 62 community-dwelling older adults were recruited and assigned to the experimental (n=32) and comparison groups (n=30). The members of the experimental group participated in an 8-week intervention program. Participants of both groups completed before-and-after intervention measurements for outcome variables that included perceived self-esteem, depression, isolation, mastery and achievement motives, which were analyzed using the generalized estimating equation (GEE). RESULTS GEE analyses indicated that the experimental group showed significant post intervention improvements in scores for self-esteem (β=1.66, P= .015), isolation (β=-0.96, P= .008), mastery (β=1.04, P= .042), and achievement motives (β=1.30, P=.034) compared to the control group. CONCLUSIONS This study found beneficial effects of a combination of three-dimensional virtual reality and hands-on horticultural activities on community-dwelling older adults’ mental health. These findings suggest that future implementations of this program on a large scale could improve the mental health of older adults. CLINICALTRIAL The study was approved from the Research Ethics Review Committee of En Chu Kong Hospital (Registration number: ECKIRB1090503).

scholarly journals Effectiveness of Facebook Remote Live-Streaming-Guided Exercise for Improving the Functional Fitness of Community-Dwelling Older Adults

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shao-Hsi Chang ◽  
Li-Ting Wang ◽  
Ting-Yu Chueh ◽  
Ming-Chun Hsueh ◽  
Tsung-Min Hung ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Cardiorespiratory Fitness ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Live Streaming ◽  
Functional Fitness ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults ◽  
Experimental Group

Background: The aim of this study was to determine the effect of Facebook remote live-streaming-guided exercise on the functional fitness of community-dwelling older adults.Method: This study used a non-randomized controlled design with single-blinding (outcome assessors). Older adults (mean age = 70.36 ± 4.51 years) were assigned to either the experimental group (n = 39) or the control group (n = 34). The experimental group participated in a 75-min Facebook remote live-streaming-guided exercise routine twice a week for 8 weeks at home, whereas the control group maintained their original lifestyle without any intervention. Functional fitness was assessed using the Senior Fitness Test, which assessed upper and lower limb flexibility and muscle strength, cardiorespiratory fitness, and balance. The test was administered before and after the intervention.Results: The results revealed that an 8-week Facebook remote live-streaming-guided exercise intervention increased lower limb flexibility and muscle strength and cardiorespiratory fitness in community-dwelling older adults.Conclusion: The current findings suggest that a home-based exercise program using the Facebook platform may be a feasible method to broadly improve the functional fitness of community-dwelling older adults.

scholarly journals Effects of Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Synchronized with Chewing Exercises on Bite Force and Masseter Muscle Thickness in Community-Dwelling Older Adults in South Korea: A Randomized Controlled Trial

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (13) ◽  
pp. 4902
Author(s):  
Ji-Su Park ◽  
Young-Jin Jung ◽  
Min-Ji Kim
Keyword(s):  
Older Adults ◽  
Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Masseter Muscle ◽  
Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation ◽  
Muscle Thickness ◽  
Bite Force ◽  
Community Dwelling ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Community Dwelling Older Adults ◽  
Experimental Group

This study is aimed at investigating the effects of synchronized neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES) and chewing exercises on bite force and the masseter muscle thickness in community-dwelling older adults. Material and methods: Forty older adults were enrolled in South Korea and randomly assigned to either an experimental or control group. The experimental group performed chewing exercises using the No-Sick Exerciser equipment synchronized with NMES applied to the bilateral masseter muscles, while the control group performed only chewing exercises. Both groups received interventions for 20 min/day, 5 days/week, for 6 weeks. Bite force was measured using the OCCLUZER device, and masseter muscle thickness was measured using a portable ultrasound. Results: Both groups showed a significant increase in bite force and masseter muscle thickness compared to baseline measurements (p < 0.05). The experimental group showed a significantly higher increase in bite force and masseter muscle thickness than the control group after combined intervention (p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study demonstrates that NMES synchronized with chewing exercises is more efficient in increasing bite force and masseter muscle thickness than chewing exercises alone in community-dwelling older adults.

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