TY - JOUR
T1 - Effects of Virtual Reality Sessions on the Quality of Life, Happiness, and Functional Fitness among the Older People
T2 - A Randomized Controlled Trial from Taiwan
AU - Barsasella, Diana
AU - Liu, Megan F.
AU - Malwade, Shwetambara
AU - Galvin, Cooper J.
AU - Dhar, Eshita
AU - Chang, Chia Chi
AU - Li, Yu Chuan Jack
AU - Syed-Abdul, Shabbir
N1 - Funding Information:
Author contributions: Design and Conceptualization: SSA, MFL, and SM; statistical analysis: DB, SM, ED, CG; study methodology: MFL and SSA; supervision: DB, SSA, MFL, SM, and CCC; study validation: SM, CCC, SSA, MFL, and YCL; original draft: DB, SM, MFL and ED; manuscript review and editing: SM, SSA, DB, MFL, CG. We would like to thank the Ministry of Science and Technology (MOST), Taiwan and Taipei Medical University, Taiwan for providing the support and the necessary funding to accomplish this research work. We also appreciate the support of the Research Center for Active Ageing at Taipei Medical University to help with the data collection of the participants.
Publisher Copyright:
© 2020
Copyright:
Copyright 2020 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.
PY - 2021/3
Y1 - 2021/3
N2 - Background and Objective: Ageing is a complex process with physical, psychological, and social changes, which can lead to diseases and disability, and further reduce happiness levels. Virtual reality (VR) is an emerging technology with the potential to improve overall well-being, quality of life (QoL), muscle activity and balance. Our study aimed to determine the influence of VR sessions on the QoL, happiness, and functional fitness components of an elderly cohort. Methods: A non-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted. Sixty participants, who visited the active ageing center at the university were randomized into two groups- intervention and control. The intervention group received VR experience sessions for 15 min twice a week for a duration of 6 weeks, while the control group received no sessions. Participants filled out a questionnaire for QoL assessment and happiness assessment. They were also tested for several functional fitness components. Both questionnaires and fitness tests were conducted at the beginning and at the end of study. Results: QoL improved by some metrics assessed (Pain/Discomfort and Anxiety/Depression). Happiness significantly improved in the intervention group relative to the control group. Among the functional fitness tests, the back scratch test 1st and back scratch test 2nd were measured to be significantly improved in the intervention group in comparison to control group. Conclusions: VR sessions have potential to influence the well-being and functional fitness of older adults and further support the process of healthy and active ageing. Future considerations could focus on supporting more physical and psychological aspects of the older people through VR content. Trial registration: NCT04166747.
AB - Background and Objective: Ageing is a complex process with physical, psychological, and social changes, which can lead to diseases and disability, and further reduce happiness levels. Virtual reality (VR) is an emerging technology with the potential to improve overall well-being, quality of life (QoL), muscle activity and balance. Our study aimed to determine the influence of VR sessions on the QoL, happiness, and functional fitness components of an elderly cohort. Methods: A non-blinded randomized controlled trial was conducted. Sixty participants, who visited the active ageing center at the university were randomized into two groups- intervention and control. The intervention group received VR experience sessions for 15 min twice a week for a duration of 6 weeks, while the control group received no sessions. Participants filled out a questionnaire for QoL assessment and happiness assessment. They were also tested for several functional fitness components. Both questionnaires and fitness tests were conducted at the beginning and at the end of study. Results: QoL improved by some metrics assessed (Pain/Discomfort and Anxiety/Depression). Happiness significantly improved in the intervention group relative to the control group. Among the functional fitness tests, the back scratch test 1st and back scratch test 2nd were measured to be significantly improved in the intervention group in comparison to control group. Conclusions: VR sessions have potential to influence the well-being and functional fitness of older adults and further support the process of healthy and active ageing. Future considerations could focus on supporting more physical and psychological aspects of the older people through VR content. Trial registration: NCT04166747.
KW - functional fitness
KW - happiness
KW - older people
KW - quality of life
KW - randomized controlled trial
KW - virtual reality
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85097379225&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=85097379225&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.cmpb.2020.105892
DO - 10.1016/j.cmpb.2020.105892
M3 - Article
C2 - 33280934
AN - SCOPUS:85097379225
SN - 0169-2607
VL - 200
JO - Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine
JF - Computer Methods and Programs in Biomedicine
M1 - 105892
ER -