The Effectiveness of 3DVR Horticultural Therapy on Older Adults

The Effectiveness of 3DVR Horticultural Therapy on Older Adults' Physical and Mental Health

This study intends to develop a 3DVR-based horticultural therapy intervention to explore the health effectiveness among older adults

Background: Institutionalized older adults have limited ability to engage in horticultural activities that can promote their physical and mental health.

Objective: This study explored the effects of a combination of three-dimensional (3D) virtual reality (VR) and horticultural therapy (HT) on institutionalized older adults' physical and mental health.

Methods: The study applied a quasi-experimental design. A total of 106 older adults from two long-term care facilities were recruited and assigned to the experimental (n = 59) or control (n = 47) group. The experimental participants received a nine-week intervention. Both groups completed three assessments: at baseline, after the intervention, and two months later. The outcome variables included health status, meaning in life, perceived mattering, loneliness, and depression.

Inclusion Criteria:

• over 65 years old.
• being a long-term resident of the selected LTCF
• possessing the ability to understand verbal meanings
• being able to freely operate a joystick.

Exclusion Criteria:

• a history of severe psychiatric conditions, dementia, significant visual or hearing impairment, and/or current severe illnesses such as stroke or Parkinson's disease.