Immersive Virtual Tasks With Motor and Cognitive Components: A Feasibility Study With Young and Older Adults

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the feasibility, safety, and acceptability of immersive virtual tasks. Methods: The authors recruited 11 young adults and 10 older adults. The participants performed three virtual reaching tasks while walking on a virtual path. The descriptive analysis and comparison between participants were performed using the Mann–Whitney U test and chi-square test for nonparametric and nominal variables, respectively. The authors also used analysis of variance for a between-groups comparison for normal variables. Results: Twenty percent of older adults and 81.8% of young adults completed all three tasks (chi-square test; p = .005). Both groups reported minor symptoms, with no significant differences. The older adults were more motivated to practice the tasks (Mann–Whitney U test; p = .015) and would be more likely to suggest them to others (chi-square test; p = .034). Conclusion: All three tasks were feasible for young adults. All participants, except for one, had cybersickness. The symptoms were mostly mild and subsided once the interaction was complete.

In too deep? A systematic literature review of fully‐immersive virtual reality and cybersickness among older adults

“…Using the Effective Public Health Practice Project Quality Assessment Tool, six studies received a rating of strong, 22,27,29,39,40,55 10 studies received a rating of moderate, 24,31,36,41,44,50,51,53,54,57 and 23 studies received a rating of weak. 21,23,25,26,28,30,[32][33][34][35]37,38,42,43,[45][46][47][48][49]52,56,58,59 Participants…”

“…The study samples were generally small, with 19 studies consisting of a sample size of 30 participants or less. 21,23,25,26,28,30,33,38,43,[45][46][47][50][51][52]54,56,57,59 Most study samples were majority female, but the average age varied greatly between 63 years 42,44 to 92 years. 51 While many study samples consisted of community dwelling older adults, 34,35,38,41,44,45 other older adult subpopulations studied included those with cognitive impairment, 21,23,24,27,32,[53][54][55][56]58,59 those hospitalized 21,43,47 or living in an long term care community, 25,26,[28][29][30]48,…”

“…Across all studies, the most common study purpose was to assess the feasibility of fully-immersive virtual reality interventions for older adults. The majority of studies (23 studies) utilized a one-time session intervention, 22,24,28,[30][31][32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49] whereas 16 studies 21,23,[25][26][27]29,[50][51][52][53][54][55][56][57][58][59] consisted of more than one session. The duration of the virtual reality intervention varied considerably from a one-time seven to 9 min session 38 to 20 min sessions per day for 4 weeks.…”

“…27 Most studies' interventions included a virtual task that related to cognitive training or assessment, 22,24,[31][32][33][34]39,41,43,47,[53][54][55][56]58,59 activity or physical rehabilitation, 27,37,38,40,42,[49][50][51][52]57 exploration for purposes such as well-being or reminiscence, 21,23,25,[28][29][30]35,36,46,48 or a combination. 44,45 The most common virtual reality headsets used among the studies were the HTC Vive 32,35,37,[40][41][42]44,47,[50][51][52]…”

“…44,45 The most common virtual reality headsets used among the studies were the HTC Vive 32,35,37,[40][41][42]44,47,[50][51][52]54,56,58 and the Oculus Rift. 34,36,45,48,49,53,57,59…”