Accepted for/Published in: Journal of Medical Internet Research
Date Submitted: Nov 18, 2019
Date Accepted: May 14, 2020
Effectiveness of a Combination of Three-dimensional Virtual Reality and Hands-on Aromatherapy in Improving Institutionalized Older Adults’ Psychological Health: A quasi-experimental trial
ABSTRACT
Background:
In Taiwan, which has one of the most rapidly aging populations in the world, it is becoming increasingly critical to promote successful aging strategies that are cost-effective, easily usable, and acceptable to institutionalized older adults. Although many practitioners and professionals have explored aromatherapy and identified its positive psychological benefits, the effectiveness of a combination of 3D virtual reality and hands-on aromatherapy remains unknown.
Objective:
A quasi-experimental trial was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of this combination in promoting happiness, perceived stress, sleep quality, experience on meditation, and life satisfaction among older adults in Taiwan.
Methods:
Sixty institutionalized elderly participants underwent the combination program or were in a control group. Weekly two-hour sessions were implemented for 9 weeks. The outcome variables were happiness perceived, stress, sleep quality, experience on meditation, and life satisfaction, which were assessed at baseline, and after the intervention.
Results:
Generalized estimating equation (GEE) analyses indicated that the experimental group showed significant post-intervention improvements in terms of scores for happiness, perceived stress, sleep quality, experience on meditation, and life satisfaction. Another GEE analysis showed that the significant effects for the five outcome variables persisted in participants aged 80 and older.
Conclusions:
This is the first trial to explore the effectiveness of a combination of 3D virtual reality and hands-on aromatherapy in improving older adults’ psychological health. The results are promising for supporting successful aging in institutionalized older adults.
Citation
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