Implementing Affordable Virtual Reality Interventions for Older Adults in Latin America: A Feasibility Study

Autori:

Ana Trueba PhD , Cristina Crespo-Andrade PhD , Camila A. Merino B.A. , Nicolas Agustin Alvarez Frank B.A. , Maria Sol Garces PhD , Hailey V. Cray MPH , Rebecca Dickinson B.Sc., B.A. , Ipsit V. Vahia MD

Abstract:

Virtual Reality (VR)-based meditation has shown to help reduce, stress, anxiety, sadness, and anger in younger adults. However, this has not been extensively studied in older adults. Furthermore, there are no standard guidelines on how VR mindfulness interventions should be implemented to ensure successful adoption and outcomes in different cultures and languages. The availability of affordable hardware and rapidly growing content that can be freely accessed in the public domain raises the possibility of VR being used globally and in a very broad range of settings, including low and middle-income countries. The goal of this study is to describe and highlight some key considerations and challenges when implementing low-cost VR mindfulness interventions with older adults in Quito, Ecuador.