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Omisore OM, Odenigbo I, Orji J, Beltran AIH, Meier S, Baghaei N, Orji R. Extended Reality for Mental Health Evaluation: Scoping Review. JMIR Serious Games 2024; 12:e38413. [PMID: 39047289 PMCID: PMC11306946 DOI: 10.2196/38413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2022] [Revised: 09/05/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mental health disorders are the leading cause of health-related problems worldwide. It is projected that mental health disorders will be the leading cause of morbidity among adults as the incidence rates of anxiety and depression grow worldwide. Recently, "extended reality" (XR), a general term covering virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR), is paving the way for the delivery of mental health care. OBJECTIVE We aimed to investigate the adoption and implementation of XR technology used in interventions for mental disorders and to provide statistical analyses of the design, usage, and effectiveness of XR technology for mental health interventions with a worldwide demographic focus. METHODS In this paper, we conducted a scoping review of the development and application of XR in the area of mental disorders. We performed a database search to identify relevant studies indexed in Google Scholar, PubMed, and the ACM Digital Library. A search period between August 2016 and December 2023 was defined to select papers related to the usage of VR, AR, and MR in a mental health context. The database search was performed with predefined queries, and a total of 831 papers were identified. Ten papers were identified through professional recommendation. Inclusion and exclusion criteria were designed and applied to ensure that only relevant studies were included in the literature review. RESULTS We identified a total of 85 studies from 27 countries worldwide that used different types of VR, AR, and MR techniques for managing 14 types of mental disorders. By performing data analysis, we found that most of the studies focused on high-income countries, such as the United States (n=14, 16.47%) and Germany (n=12, 14.12%). None of the studies were for African countries. The majority of papers reported that XR techniques lead to a significant reduction in symptoms of anxiety or depression. The majority of studies were published in 2021 (n=26, 30.59%). This could indicate that mental disorder intervention received higher attention when COVID-19 emerged. Most studies (n=65, 76.47%) focused on a population in the age range of 18-65 years, while few studies (n=2, 3.35%) focused on teenagers (ie, subjects in the age range of 10-19 years). In addition, more studies were conducted experimentally (n=67, 78.82%) rather than by using analytical and modeling approaches (n=8, 9.41%). This shows that there is a rapid development of XR technology for mental health care. Furthermore, these studies showed that XR technology can effectively be used for evaluating mental disorders in a similar or better way that conventional approaches. CONCLUSIONS In this scoping review, we studied the adoption and implementation of XR technology for mental disorder care. Our review shows that XR treatment yields high patient satisfaction, and follow-up assessments show significant improvement with large effect sizes. Moreover, the studies adopted unique designs that were set up to record and analyze the symptoms reported by their participants. This review may aid future research and development of various XR mechanisms for differentiated mental disorder procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olatunji Mumini Omisore
- Research Centre for Medical Robotics and Minimally Invasive Surgical Devices, Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenzhen, China
| | - Ifeanyi Odenigbo
- Faculty of Computer Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Joseph Orji
- Faculty of Computer Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | | | - Sandra Meier
- Department of Psychiatry, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Nilufar Baghaei
- School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Australia
| | - Rita Orji
- Faculty of Computer Science, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
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Ferreira S, Raimundo A, Pozo-Cruz JD, Bernardino A, Leite N, Yoshida HM, Marmeleira J. Effects of Multimodal Exercise With Augmented Reality on Cognition in Community-Dwelling Older Adults. J Am Med Dir Assoc 2024; 25:104954. [PMID: 38428831 DOI: 10.1016/j.jamda.2024.01.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 01/28/2024] [Indexed: 03/03/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aims to investigate the effects of an exercise intervention using multimodal exercise with augmented reality and multimodal exercise-only on cognitive function in older adults living in a community dwelling. DESIGN Quasi-experimental research study. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS In this control study, 78 participants were divided into 2 experimental groups (with sessions 3 times a week for 12 weeks) and a control group (CG). METHODS EG1 participated in a multimodal exercise-only intervention program, EG2 participated in a multimodal exercise program with augmented reality exergames, and CG continued its usual activities. Participants were assessed at baseline and postintervention after 12 weeks. RESULTS Comparison between baseline and postintervention at 12 weeks showed significant improvements in executive functions, verbal fluency, choice reaction time, and dual task in EG1, whereas there were improvements in general cognition, executive functions, verbal fluency, discrimination reaction time, and depression in EG2 (P ≤ .05). The clinical effect sizes of the interventions were large for overall cognition, executive functions, and reaction time on single- and dual-task reaction time in EG1 and for overall cognition, executive functions, and verbal fluency in EG2. CONCLUSION AND IMPLICATIONS The intervention programs showed significant improvements in several cognitive domains. The multimodal exercise-only showed improvements in more variables than the multimodal exercise with augmented reality, but the augmented reality group showed greater changes between baseline and postintervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soraia Ferreira
- Departamento de Desporto e Saúde, Escola de Saúde e Desenvolvimento Humano, Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal; Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), Palácio do Vimioso, Évora, Portugal.
| | - Armando Raimundo
- Departamento de Desporto e Saúde, Escola de Saúde e Desenvolvimento Humano, Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal; Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), Palácio do Vimioso, Évora, Portugal
| | - Jesus Del Pozo-Cruz
- Department of Physical Education and Sports, University of Seville, Sevilla, Spain; Epidemiology of Physical Activity and Fitness across Lifespan Research Group (EPAFit), University of Seville, Sevilla, Spain
| | | | - Nilton Leite
- Departamento de Desporto e Saúde, Escola de Saúde e Desenvolvimento Humano, Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal; Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), Palácio do Vimioso, Évora, Portugal
| | - Hélio Mamoru Yoshida
- Grupo de Estudos em Psicologia do Esporte e Neurociências (GEPEN - FEF/UNICAMP), Instituto de Ciências da Saúde, Universidade Federal do Triângulo Mineiro, Uberaba, Brazil
| | - José Marmeleira
- Departamento de Desporto e Saúde, Escola de Saúde e Desenvolvimento Humano, Universidade de Évora, Évora, Portugal; Comprehensive Health Research Centre (CHRC), Palácio do Vimioso, Évora, Portugal
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Reategui-Rivera CM, Villarreal-Zegarra D, De La Cruz-Torralva K, Díaz-Sánchez P, Finkelstein J. Immersive Technologies for Depression Care: Scoping Review. JMIR Ment Health 2024; 11:e56056. [PMID: 38663004 PMCID: PMC11082738 DOI: 10.2196/56056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Depression significantly impacts quality of life, affecting approximately 280 million people worldwide. However, only 16.5% of those affected receive treatment, indicating a substantial treatment gap. Immersive technologies (IMTs) such as virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality offer new avenues for treating depression by creating immersive environments for therapeutic interventions. Despite their potential, significant gaps exist in the current evidence regarding the design, implementation, and use of IMTs for depression care. OBJECTIVE We aim to map the available evidence on IMT interventions targeting depression treatment. METHODS This scoping review followed a methodological framework, and we systematically searched databases for studies on IMTs and depression. The focus was on randomized clinical trials involving adults and using IMTs. The selection and charting process involved multiple reviewers to minimize bias. RESULTS The search identified 16 peer-reviewed articles, predominantly from Europe (n=10, 63%), with a notable emphasis on Poland (n=9, 56%), which contributed to more than half of the articles. Most of the studies (9/16, 56%) were conducted between 2020 and 2021. Regarding participant demographics, of the 16 articles, 5 (31%) exclusively involved female participants, and 7 (44%) featured participants whose mean or median age was >60 years. Regarding technical aspects, all studies focused on VR, with most using stand-alone VR headsets (14/16, 88%), and interventions typically ranging from 2 to 8 weeks, predominantly in hospital settings (11/16, 69%). Only 2 (13%) of the 16 studies mentioned using a specific VR design framework in planning their interventions. The most frequently used therapeutic approach was Ericksonian psychotherapy, used in 56% (9/16) of the studies. Notably, none of the articles reported using an implementation framework or identified barriers and enablers to implementation. CONCLUSIONS This scoping review highlights the growing interest in using IMTs, particularly VR, for depression treatment but emphasizes the need for more inclusive and comprehensive research. Future studies should explore varied therapeutic approaches and cost-effectiveness as well as the inclusion of augmented reality to fully realize the potential of IMTs in mental health care.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - David Villarreal-Zegarra
- Instituto Peruano de Orientación Psicólogica, Lima, Peru
- Escuela de Psicología, Universidad Continental, Lima, Peru
| | | | - Paquita Díaz-Sánchez
- Unidad de Telesalud, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Lima, Peru
| | - Joseph Finkelstein
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, United States
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Wen Y, Shen X, Shen Y. Improving immersive experiences in virtual natural setting for public health and environmental design: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0297986. [PMID: 38630668 PMCID: PMC11023440 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0297986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
In recent years, virtual reality (VR) technology has emerged as a powerful tool in the field of therapeutic landscapes. For hospitalized patients or individuals with limited mobility, VR provides highly personalized therapy by simulating authentic natural environments within a safe, convenient, and engaging setting. This study investigated the effectiveness of immersing patients in virtual natural environments for health recovery and compared the varying impacts of different types of landscapes on patients' recovery levels. The aim was to complement traditional medical approaches and enhance environmental design in the field of public health. Researchers systematically reviewed databases (January 2018 to August 2, 2023) to identify randomized controlled trials comparing the efficacy of virtual nature immersion with other treatments. The inclusion/exclusion criteria were established based on the population, intervention, comparison, outcomes, study design, and other aspects (expanded PICO) framework. The Cochrane tool was employed to assess the risk of bias. Meta-analysis was conducted by pooling the mean differences with a 95% confidence interval. Among 30 trials, a total of 2123 patients met the inclusion criteria, with 15 studies included in the meta-analysis. 30 trials met the criteria. Results show significant improvements in pain, anxiety, fear, and some physiological indicators with virtual nature-based treatments. On the other hand, natural scenes incorporating blue and green elements have been applied more extensively and have shown more significant effects. In comparison to conventional methods, this study strongly advocates that virtual reality environments are a crucial tool in bridging the gap between patients and nature, demonstrating their potential to reshape medical interventions and improve environmental design in the field of public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuhan Wen
- Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hongkon District, Shanghai, China
- School of Architecture, Tianjin University, Nankai District, Tianjin, China
| | - Xiwei Shen
- School of Architecture, University of Nevada, Las Vegas, Nevada, United States of America
| | - Yan Shen
- Yueyang Hospital of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Hongkon District, Shanghai, China
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Mazurek J, Cieślik B, Wrzeciono A, Gajda R, Szczepańska-Gieracha J. Immersive Virtual Reality Therapy Is Supportive for Orthopedic Rehabilitation among the Elderly: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Clin Med 2023; 12:7681. [PMID: 38137750 PMCID: PMC10743561 DOI: 10.3390/jcm12247681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 12/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/12/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This research aimed to determine the efficacy of VR therapy in mitigating symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress among older adults following arthroplasty surgery and to comprehend the influence of psychological improvement on changes in functional outcomes. METHODS Utilizing a parallel-group randomized controlled trial design, the study involved 68 osteoarthritis patients who had recently undergone either total hip or knee arthroplasty. Subjects were split into two groups. The experimental group underwent eight VR therapy sessions during their rehabilitation, while the control group was given standard care. Assessments encompassed both psychological and functional outcomes, with tools like the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, Perceived Stress Scale, and the Barthel Index, among others. The experimental group showcased notable enhancements in both psychological and functional areas compared to the control group. RESULTS A significant (p value of < 0.001) relationship was found between psychological progress and functional recovery, indicating that psychological factors can serve as predictors for functional outcomes. CONCLUSIONS The findings emphasize the promising role of VR therapy as a beneficial addition to the rehabilitation process for older adults' post-hip and knee arthroplasty. The integration of psychological interventions in standard rehabilitation practices appears valuable, but further studies are needed to ascertain the long-term advantages of such an approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Justyna Mazurek
- University Rehabilitation Centre, Wroclaw Medical University, 50-556 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Błażej Cieślik
- Healthcare Innovation Technology Lab, IRCCS San Camillo Hospital, 30126 Venice, Italy
| | - Adam Wrzeciono
- Faculty of Physiotherapy, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, 51-612 Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Robert Gajda
- Department of Kinesiology and Health Prevention, Jan Dlugosz University in Częstochowa, 42-200 Częstochowa, Poland
- Center for Sports Cardiology, Gajda-Med Medical Center in Pułtusk, 06-100 Pułtusk, Poland
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Juszko K, Kiper P, Wrzeciono A, Cieślik B, Gajda R, Szczepańska-Gieracha J. Factors associated with the effectiveness of immersive virtual therapy in alleviating depressive symptoms during sub-acute post-stroke rehabilitation: a gender comparison. BMC Sports Sci Med Rehabil 2023; 15:137. [PMID: 37864252 PMCID: PMC10588095 DOI: 10.1186/s13102-023-00742-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The large-scale digitalization of healthcare has induced shifts in patient preferences, prompting the introduction of therapies utilizing novel technologies. In this context, the targeted application of these interventions is deemed as crucial as assessing their overall effectiveness. The aim of this study was to characterize the patient profile who benefited most from immersive virtual reality (VR) therapy. METHODS Based on the results from the previous randomized controlled trial study, we employed an exploratory study design to determine the factors associated with the most significant mental health improvement. A secondary analysis was conducted on a sample of 83 participants, with further analysis of participants with elevated depression symptoms, as indicated by a score of > 10 on the 30-item Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-30). Both groups participated in a similar post-stroke rehabilitation program; however, the experimental group also received additional VR therapy through an immersive VR garden intervention. The GDS-30 was used to assess mood and depressive symptoms, and sociodemographic, cognitive status as well as stroke-related variables were considered as potential factors. RESULTS In both the experimental (mean change 5.3) and control groups (mean change 2.8), interventions significantly reduced depressive symptoms, with a more pronounced difference in the experimental group (p < 0.05). When examining gender differences, women exhibited greater improvement in the GDS, with mean between-group differences of 5.0 for the total sample and 6.0 for those with elevated depressive symptoms. Sociodemographic factors, cognitive status, and time from stroke were not found to be factors that alter the effectiveness of VR therapy. CONCLUSIONS While VR therapy as an adjunctive treatment for post-stroke rehabilitation seems especially effective for women with elevated depressive symptoms, the results should be interpreted with caution due to the study's small experimental group size. Traditional methods showed reduced effectiveness in women compared to men; thus, developing technologically advanced and gender-specific approaches can lead to more tailored therapy. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT03830372 (February 5, 2019).
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Juszko
- Faculty of Physiotherapy, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, Wroclaw, 51-612, Poland
| | - Pawel Kiper
- Healthcare Innovation Technology Lab, IRCCS San Camillo Hospital, Venezia, 30126, Italy
| | - Adam Wrzeciono
- Faculty of Physiotherapy, Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences, Wroclaw, 51-612, Poland
| | - Błażej Cieślik
- Healthcare Innovation Technology Lab, IRCCS San Camillo Hospital, Venezia, 30126, Italy.
| | - Robert Gajda
- Gajda-Med District Hospital in Pultusk, Pultusk, 06-100, Poland
- Department of Kinesiology and Health Prevention, Jan Dlugosz University in Czestochowa, Czestochowa, 42-200, Poland
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