Use of Immersive Virtual Reality in Nursing Homes for People With Dementia: Feasibility Study to Assess Cognitive, Motor, and Emotional Responses

Physical activity interventions for people with dementia have shown promising effects in improving cognition and physical function or slowing disease-related decline. Immersive virtual reality (iVR), using head-mounted displays, facilitates realistic experiences by blurring the boundaries between VR and the real world. The use of iVR for people with dementia offers the potential to increase active time and improve dementia therapy and care through exercise interventions. However, the feasibility of using VR use in people with dementia, considering changes in motor, cognitive, psychological, and physiological parameters, remains insufficiently investigated.

This study aims to investigate the feasibility of using iVR in people with dementia or mild cognitive impairment in nursing homes. Specifically, we examined changes in motor performance (balance and mobility), cognitive performance (global cognition and executive functions), emotional responses, and fear of falling using iVR.

Utilizing a pre-post design, this study recruited 35 participants with mild-to-moderate dementia, assessed by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE). Participants underwent a single session involving iVR exposure, with pre- and postexposure assessments and a feedback form, to exclude negative effects on cognitive and motor functions, mood, anxiety levels, and balance performance. The use of iVR involved 4 scenes, with a total length of 8 minutes. These scenes depicted a park with short and rather passive impressions presented as a 360° video in a head-mounted display. Before and after using the iVR, cognitive parameters were assessed using the Trail-Making Test A (TMT-A), motor parameters were assessed using the FICSIT-4 (Frailty and Injuries: Cooperative Studies of Intervention Techniques-4) and Timed-Up-and-Go (TUG) tests, and psychological parameters were assessed using the Dementia Mood Picture Test, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory, and Short Falls Efficacy Scale-International (Short FES-I). The Emotion Rating Scale and the duration of use were recorded during use, and a feedback questionnaire was completed afterward in addition to the posttests. Paired t tests and Wilcoxon tests were used to examine pre-post differences.

Of the 35 initial participants, 33 completed the study, which corresponds to a dropout rate of 6%. All 33 participants, who had a mean of 83.71 (SD 5.01) years, had dementia. They showed no statistically significant difference in cognitive and motor performance before and after iVR use. Thus, no negative effects on cognitive and motor functions, mood, anxiety levels, and balance performance were observed. The emotion rating scale also showed that 72% (n=24) felt joy and fun during iVR use, 100% (n=33) showed no emotions such as fear, sadness, or anger, and 93% (n=31) were attentive during iVR use.

The feasibility of using iVR for people with dementia can be rated positively. There were no changes in motor, cognitive, or emotional parameters that would increase the risk of falls or other negative emotional reactions during or after iVR use. Further studies are needed to investigate prolonged use in a more stimulating computer-generated environment and possible physical and cognitive tasks for people with dementia in nursing homes.

German Clinical Trials Register DRKS00030616; https://drks.de/search/de/trial/DRKS00030616