Virtual reality is showing promise in the senior care segment, with studies and observational data pointing to its role in pain reduction, and improved mobility and engagement.
One Rhode Island nursing home found that virtual reality goggles help residents stay more focused and engaged during exercise and general use. The virtual reality experience “transports” users to various global destinations where they come face to face with serene nature surroundings.
The recreation director at Kingston Center in West Kingston, RI, told a local news station that residents have responded well to the technology and the experience was notably beneficial for engaging those with dementia. Although the Centers Health Care-owned facility currently has only one pair of goggles, set times for virtual reality are scheduled on the calendar so all residents have an opportunity to participate.
Playing virtual reality games or relaxing in a virtual nature setting also can ease severe, chronic pain, recent study data suggests. One study involved 120 hospitalized patients who rated their pain at least a 3 out of 10 over the previous 24 hours. Half of the participants used virtual reality headsets three times a day over a 48-hour period. The other half watched televised health and wellness programs that included guided relaxation, poetry readings and health topic discussions.
Virtual reality participants reported an average 1.72 ratings-point drop in pain scores compared to an average 0.46-point drop for the control group. Those who rated their pain 7 or higher saw their scores drop an average 3.04 points with virtual reality, compared with 0.93 in the control group.
In the virtual reality group, pain fell regardless of its underlying cause.
The study was published online Tuesday in PloS ONE.
