Motivating older adults through immersive virtual exercise (MOTIVE): A randomized pilot study.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to: 1) determine the feasibility of a virtual reality physical activity intervention among older adults and 2) test the preliminary effectiveness of the intervention at increasing physical activity and 3) decreasing depressive symptoms. METHODS: We included 10 older adults randomized into the Motivating Older Adults Through Immersive Virtual Exercise (MOTIVE) intervention group and 10 randomized into the physical activity education only control group. We analyzed the data using descriptive statistics and linear mixed models, testing the interaction of time and the treatment condition. RESULTS: Participants in the intervention group attended an average of 15 out of the 16 sessions. A total of 90% of MOTIVE intervention group participants "completely agreed" that the intervention was acceptable, (compared to 30% of education control group participants). CONCLUSION: This study supports testing the effectiveness of the intervention at improving physical activity and depressive symptoms in a larger sample of older adults.

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

BACKGROUND: Virtual reality technology holds great promise in improving the health and well-being of older adults; however, this technology is associated with potential risks that may outweigh the benefits. The purpose of this systematic review is to synthesize and critique the existing literature on fully-immersive virtual reality interventions for older adults and the associated risk of cybersickness. METHODS: We searched eight databases for studies that utilized fully-immersive virtual reality, stated the population as older adults, provided outcomes related to cybersickness, and were written or translated into the English language. Our search generated 332 articles, 39 of which were selected for inclusion in this systematic synthesis and appraisal. RESULTS: We found that the majority of studies utilized a one-time session. The studies generally had weak sample generalizability and methodological design, but strong data collection and participant retention. The studies nearly all used the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire to measure cybersickness, but the scoring for the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire varied or was not mentioned. Most included studies reported only minor cybersickness among older adult participants. CONCLUSION: Researchers might conclude that the benefits of virtual reality interventions outweigh the risk of cybersickness in this population. Going forward, researchers should concentrate on the efficacy of virtual reality interventions among older adults, using larger samples and randomized controlled study design, along with measuring dosage effects.