Accepted for/Published in: Journal of Medical Internet Research
Date Submitted: Dec 6, 2019
Date Accepted: Apr 10, 2020
The role of virtual reality in improving health outcomes for community-dwelling older adults: A systematic review
ABSTRACT
Background:
Virtual reality delivered through immersive headsets creates an opportunity to deliver interventions to improve physical, mental and psychosocial health outcomes. However, little is known about virtual reality applications using immersive headsets, or health outcomes best targeted through virtual reality. Even less is known about the effectiveness of interventions using virtual reality in the older adult population.
Objective:
The objective of this review was to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality applications delivered using commercially available immersive headsets to improve physical, mental, or psychosocial health outcomes in community-dwelling older adults.
Methods:
Peer-reviewed publications that included community-dwelling older adults aged ≥60 years residing in residential aged care settings and nursing homes were included. This systematic review was conducted in accordance with the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology for systematic reviews of effectiveness evidence. The title of this review has been registered with Joanna Briggs Institute, and the systematic review protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42019143504).
Results:
Seven studies were included in this review. The primary outcomes of the studies were highly divergent and included pain management, posture, cognitive functioning specifically related to Alzheimer’s Disease, and risk of falls. Meta-analysis was not possible due to the heterogeneity of the study design. Six studies reported a statistically significant difference post intervention and one study reported an improvement. Only one study reported on the usability and acceptability of the interventions delivered through virtual reality.
Conclusions:
Interventions to improve health outcomes through virtual reality have demonstrated potential, however, the ability to synthesise findings by primary outcomes and for the older adult population is not possible. A number of factors, especially related to frailty, usability and acceptability still need to be explored before more substantial recommendations on the effectiveness of virtual reality interventions for older adults can be made. Clinical Trial: PROSPERO (CRD42019143504).
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