Virtual Reality Effect in Geriatric Individuals

Effect of Virtual Reality Application on Pain, Functional Independence and Depression in Geriatric Individuals

This study aimed to determine the effect of a virtual reality experience on pain, depression and functional adequacy in geriatric individuals living in a nursing home.

A virtual reality video with dance moves has been applied to the experimental group participants. Each video takes 3 minutes, and the elderly person has been put into practice at least 30 minutes after having breakfast in 3-minute periods and at least 30 minutes after dinner. In the morning and evening, 15 minutes, 2 times a day, a total of 9 days were applied for 3 weeks. The application lasted a total of 3 weeks. Scales were applied 1 week after the virtual reality application was completed and 1 month after the experimental group. The scales were filled in the control group at the same time.

It is recommended that the future studies be conducted with larger samples on pain, depression, life quality and functionality.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Suffering from musculoskeletal pain in the last 3 years,
• Being energetic (Being independent in the daily life activities),
• Being able to stand up without help before 30 seconds and walk at least six meters without help,
• Individuals with blood sugar ranging between 90-200 mg/dl prior to the application,
• Individuals with blood pressure ranging between 130-70 mm/Hg prior to the application,
• Not having neurological and psychiatric diseases,
• No history of fall,
• Being literate,
• Not being visually-hearing impaired,
• Being able to communicate verbally.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Pependent patients
• Patients with psychiatric illness
• Patients with joint pain disease diagnosis