ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Active aging is considered one of the most effective methods for a healthy aging process. There are numerous clinical practice guidelines that address this model and propose multiple strategies for its achievement through the improvement of motor and cognitive function. Virtual reality is emerging as a potential tool, with various modalities focused on promoting good health maintenance in older adults. The objectives of this review were to map the potential benefits of virtual reality for active aging and delve into adaptability and adherence in older individuals. METHODS: A scoping review was conducted on studies published between 2013 and 2023 in English, Spanish, or Catalan, examining virtual reality interventions in older adults. The search was performed using the Medline, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. The methodological quality was assessed using CASPe and FLC 3.0 critical appraisal guidelines. The graphical data were reported narratively, grouping results based on the study characteristics and the impact of virtual reality. RESULTS: The review process resulted in the inclusion of 22 articles out of the initial 459 following the application of the selection criteria. Most articles were randomized controlled trials (45.4%; n = 10), systematic reviews (40.9%; n = 9), observational studies (9%; n = 2), and pilot studies (4.5%; n = 1). The information was organized based on the virtual reality modality (immersive, non-immersive, and 360) and application area (motor, cognitive, and mental health). CONCLUSIONS: Virtual reality (both immersive and non-immersive) is a valuable tool for promoting physical exercise in older adults, helping to prevent recurrent accidental falls. It also yields positive results for cognitive stimulation in healthy older individuals, improving memory, depression, and mental health in those with cognitive impairment. Virtual reality is generally well-received by older adults, achieving high adherence rates.
ABSTRACT
OBJETIVO: Evaluar la eficacia de una intervención a cuidadores no profesionales (CNP). DISEÑO: Estudio cuasiexperimental de tipo antes/después, sin grupo control. Emplazamiento: Atención primaria; 5 Zonas Básicas de Salud (ZBS) en Castelló. Período: Entre el mes de enero de 2018 y el mes de enero de 2019. PARTICIPANTES: 72 CNP participantes en una intervención específica de reciente implementación en el Departament de Salut de Castelló. Intervención: Formación a CNP buscando mejorar el conocimiento del cuidado de personas dependientes y facilitando apoyo. Diez sesiones grupales de 120 min. Mediciones principales: Descriptivo sociodemográfico. Comparación de las variables sobrecarga, dolor lumbar (DL), apoyo social y calidad de vida relacionada con la salud (CVRS) antes-después de la intervención. Variable respuesta: sobrecarga del cuidador. Análisis descriptivo y bivariante. RESULTADOS: Todos los CNP presentaban sobrecarga basal (59,93 ± 14,71); el 73,3% manifestaban DL, con un nivel medio de 5,13 ± 2,56 e incapacidad moderada (41,7%). El 50% percibían escaso apoyo social y gran afectación de la CVRS, sobre todo en términos de dolor y ansiedad. Tras la intervención se encontró una mejora significativa (p = 0,004) en el apoyo social, así como cambios positivos de carácter descriptivo en la incapacidad por DL y dimensiones de la CVRS. No se hallaron progresos (p > 0,05) para la presencia y en el nivel de DL, así como en los niveles de sobrecarga. CONCLUSIONES: La intervención resulta efectiva para mejorar el apoyo social percibido. Sin embargo, el escaso impacto sobre otras variables aconseja reconsiderar sus contenidos, así como animar a nuevos estudios prospectivos que puedan ofrecer resultados más alentadores
OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention to family caregivers. DESIGN: Quasi-experimental study of type before/after, without control group. SETTING: Primary care; 5 primary care centers of Castelló city. Period: Between the month of January 2018 and the month of January 2019. PARTICIPANTS: 72 family caregivers, participants in a specific intervention recently implemented in the Department de Salut de Castelló. Intervention: Training to family caregivers, seeking to improve knowledge of dependent care, and provide support. Ten group sessions of 120 minutes. Principal measurements: Descriptive of sociodemographic data. Comparison of the variables overload, low back pain, social support and health-related quality of life before-after the intervention. Variable response: caregiver overload. Bivariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: All family caregivers had baseline overload (59.93 ± 14.71); 73.3% showed low back pain, with an average level of 5.13 ± 2.56 and moderate disability (41.7%). 50% received little social support and a great impact on health-related quality of life, especially in terms of pain and anxiety. After the intervention, there was a significant improvement (P = .004) in social support, as well as positive descriptive changes in disability due to low back pain and health-related quality of life dimensions. No progress was found (P > .05) for the presence and level of low back pain, as well as overload levels. CONCLUSIONS: The resulting effective intervention to improve perceived social support. However, the low impact on other variables suggests reconsidering its contents, as well as encouraging new prospective studies that may offer more encouraging results
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adult , Middle Aged , Aged , Primary Health Care , Health Education/methods , Caregivers/education , Program Evaluation , Non-Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic , Caregivers/statistics & numerical data , Quality of Life , Low Back Pain/prevention & control , Social SupportABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention to family caregivers. DESIGN: Quasi-experimental study of type before/after, without control group. SETTING: Primary care; 5 primary care centers of Castelló city. PERIOD: Between the month of January 2018 and the month of January 2019. PARTICIPANTS: 72 family caregivers, participants in a specific intervention recently implemented in the Department de Salut de Castelló. INTERVENTION: Training to family caregivers, seeking to improve knowledge of dependent care, and provide support. Ten group sessions of 120minutes. PRINCIPAL MEASUREMENTS: Descriptive of sociodemographic data. Comparison of the variables overload, low back pain, social support and health-related quality of life before-after the intervention. Variable response: caregiver overload. Bivariate and multivariate analysis. RESULTS: All family caregivers had baseline overload (59.93±14.71); 73.3% showed low back pain, with an average level of 5.13±2.56 and moderate disability (41.7%). 50% received little social support and a great impact on health-related quality of life, especially in terms of pain and anxiety. After the intervention, there was a significant improvement (P=.004) in social support, as well as positive descriptive changes in disability due to low back pain and health-related quality of life dimensions. No progress was found (P>.05) for the presence and level of low back pain, as well as overload levels. CONCLUSIONS: The resulting effective intervention to improve perceived social support. However, the low impact on other variables suggests reconsidering its contents, as well as encouraging new prospective studies that may offer more encouraging results.
