Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Aging
Date Submitted: Sep 24, 2024
Open Peer Review Period: Sep 24, 2024 - Nov 19, 2024
Date Accepted: Mar 30, 2025
(closed for review but you can still tweet)
Developing Immersive Virtual Environment Technology for Persons Living with Dementia and Caregiver Dyads: Multi-Phasic User-Centered Design
ABSTRACT
Background:
Bio-experiential technology is a multi-sensory, user-directed, immersive experience often designed to promote psychological health. As an emerging field, bio-experiential and game-based technologies require preliminary testing of safety, usability, and engagement for persons living with dementia (PLWD) and their caregivers.
Objective:
We aim to develop a preliminary bio-experiential intervention for psychosocial health among persons with moderate-advanced dementia and their caregivers. In doing so, we highlight design consideration and user preferences to ensure safety and usability of technology-based interventions in the context of dementia.
Methods:
We engaged providers (N=10), caregivers (N=8) and PLWD (N=3) in five rounds of focus groups to evaluate safety and usability of preliminary intervention features. Following prototype development, we engaged caregivers and PLWD (N = 9 dyads) in beta testing workshops to observe real-time user interaction with the intervention and guide refinements. Rapid data analysis was used to extract themes relevant to intervention development.
Results:
The following themes emerged from focus groups to inform prototype development: (1) designing flexibly to allow users to tailor the intervention experience to their own circumstances; (2) designing with the dyad’s clinical, environmental, and relational goals in mind; and (3) accounting for illness and aging-related challenges in design. The following themes emerged from workshops to inform prototype refinements: (1) More feedback for users to guide use of the intervention, and (2) More variety of visual and auditory experiences.
Conclusions:
Using user-feedback throughout the development process, we developed a prototype of a bio-experiential intervention tailored to the needs of persons with moderate-advanced dementia and their caregivers. Our prototype uses specific design features to promote safety, usability, and engagement in the context of dementia. Future feasibility testing of the intervention is warranted. Clinical Trial: N/A
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