Comparing the Effects of Virtual Reality and Home Chair-Based Exercises on Balance, Daily Living Activities, and Loneliness Among Older Adults With Balance Disorders

Subjective Experience on Virtual Reality-Assisted Mental Health Promotion Program

OBJECTIVE

Mental health promotion programs using virtual reality (VR) technology have been developed in various forms. This study aimed to investigate the subjective experience of a VR-assisted mental health promotion program for the community population, which was provided in the form of VR experience on a bus to increase accessibility.

METHODS

Ninety-six people participated in this study. The relationship between the subjective experience and mental health states such as depression, anxiety, perceived stress, and quality of life was explored. The subjective experience on depression and stress before and after VR program treatment was compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. The satisfaction with the VR-assisted mental health promotion program was examined after using the VR program.

RESULTS

The VR-assisted mental health promotion program on a bus significantly improved subjective symptoms such as depression (p=0.036) and perceived stress (p=0.010) among all the participants. Among the high-risk group, this VR program significantly relieved subjective depressive feeling score (p=0.033), and subjective stressful feeling score (p=0.035). In contrast, there were no significant changes in subjective depressive feelings (p=0.182) and subjective stressful feelings (p=0.058) among the healthy group. Seventy-two percent of the participants reported a high level of satisfaction, scoring 80 points or more.

CONCLUSION

The findings of this study suggest that the VR-assisted mental health promotion program may effectively improve the subjective depressive and stressful feelings. The use of VR programs on buses to increase of accessibility for the community could be a useful approach for promoting mental health among the population.

Non-Immersive Virtual Reality-Based Therapy Applied in Cardiac Rehabilitation: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

BACKGROUND

The aim of this systematic review with meta-analysis was to assess the effectiveness of non-immersive virtual reality (niVR) active videogames in patients who underwent cardiac rehabilitation (CR).

METHODS

A systematic review with meta-analysis, according to the PRISMA guidelines and previously registered in PROSPERO (CRD42023485240), was performed through a literature search in PubMed (Medline), SCOPUS, WOS, and PEDro since inception to 21 November 2023. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed the effectiveness of an niVR intervention, in comparison with conventional CR and usual care, on aerobic capacity and cardiovascular endurance (physical function), anxiety, depression, and quality of life (QoL). The risk of bias in individual studies was assessed using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. Effect size was estimated using Cohen's standardized mean difference (SMD) and its 95% confidence interval (95% CI) in a random-effects model.

RESULTS

Nine RCT that met the inclusion criteria were included in the meta-analysis. The meta-analysis showed a moderate-to-large effect favoring niVR active videogames included in CR in increasing aerobic capacity and cardiovascular endurance (SMD = 0.74; 95% CI 0.11 to 1.37; p = 0.021) and reducing anxiety (SMD = -0.66; 95% CI -1.13 to -0.2; p = 0.006). Only 4.8% of patients reported adverse events while performing niVR active videogames.

CONCLUSIONS

Inclusion of niVR active videogames in CR programs is more effective than conventional CR in improving aerobic capacity and cardiovascular endurance and in reducing anxiety.

Immersive virtual reality in the promotion of health and well-being for people in residential aged care without cognitive impairment: A scoping review

Objective

Sustaining the health and well-being of older people living in residential aged care (RAC) requires new means of providing safe and stimulating recreational and therapeutic programs such as using virtual reality (VR). The aim of the scoping review was to investigate the utility of immersive VR interventions using head-mounted display technology to promote the health and well-being of people without cognitive impairment living in RAC.

Method

The following databases were searched from inception until January 2024: PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, Cochrane and CINAHL. The eligibility criteria were quantitative, qualitative or mixed methods studies published in English, conducted in RAC, using VR with head-mounted display with people without cognitive impairment.

Results

Of the 274 articles identified, 9 articles with a total of 310 residents and 50 staff met the inclusion criteria. Seven factors to either impede or enable the use of VR with head-mounted displays in RAC were: residents' agency; the nature of the VR experience; the content of the experience; the ease of use and comfort of the technology; the role of RAC staff; and the role of residents' family members.

Conclusion

Immersive VR has potential as a tool to promote the health and well-being of people without cognitive impairment living in RAC. Small sample sizes, variations in study design, and selection bias mean that generalisability of the results is limited. Further research is recommended to inform the design and implementation of immersive VR programs tailored specifically for this population.

A Chair-Based Music-Kinetic Combined Exercise Program as an Alternative Approach for Increasing Health, Functional Capacity, and Physical Fitness Indices in Middle-Aged Pre-Menopausal Women

Lately, chairs have been widely used as a cheap, easily accessible, safe, and effective training means in different settings (e.g., in gyms, the house, workplaces, and in rehabilitation). This study investigated the effectiveness of a 10-week chair-based music-kinetic integrated combined exercise program on health, functional capacity, and physical fitness indicators of middle-aged pre-menopausal women. A total of 40 healthy women (40-53 years) were assigned to two groups: exercise (EG) and control (CG). The EG followed a 10-week (3 times/weekly; 30 training sessions) chair-based exercise program including aerobic dance, flexibility, coordination, and strength exercises with body weight or auxiliary means. Selected indicators of health, functional capacity, and physical fitness were evaluated before and after the 10 weeks. Following the program, the EG significantly reduced their body fat (-2.5%), blood pressure (by -4.5 to -5.5%), the time during the timed up-and-go (TUG) test (by -10.27%), heart rate (by -6.35 to -13.78%), and the rate of perceived exertion (by -24.45 to -25.88%), while increasing respiratory function (3.5-4%), flexibility (12.17%), balance (50.38-51.07%), maximal handgrip strength (10-12.17%), and endurance strength (43.87-55.91%). The chair-based combined music-kinetic exercise program was effective and could be safely used in different settings to improve health, functional capacity, and physical fitness in middle-aged women.