| id |
43f0 |
| authors |
Flynn, D., van Schaik, P., Blackman, T., Fencott, P.C., Hobbs, B., & Calderon, C. |
| year |
2003 |
| title |
DEVELOPING A VIRTUAL REALITY-BASED METHODOLOGY FOR PEOPLE WITH DEMENTIA: A FEASIBILITY STUDY. |
| source |
Journal of CyberPsychology and Behavior, Vol6, Number6, 2003. |
| summary |
The aim of this study was to examine the feasibility of virtual reality (VR) technology for use
by persons with dementia (PWD). Data were obtained directly from six PWD regarding their
experiences with a virtual environment (VE) of a large outdoor park. A user-centered method
was developed to assess: (a) presence; (b) user inputs; (c) display quality; (d) simulation fidelity;
and (e) overall system usability. The extent to which PWD could perform four functional
activities in the VE was also investigated (e.g., mailing a letter). In addition, physical
and psychological well-being of PWD while interacting with the VE was assessed objectively
by recording heart rate during the VR sessions and subjectively with discrete questionnaire
items and real-time prompts. Symptom profiles associated with simulator sickness were assessed
with an adapted version of the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire. The study found
that PWD to some extent experienced presence; perceived that objects were realistic and moved
naturally; generally felt in control of the interaction; and demonstrated little difficulty using
a joystick for navigation. The study also demonstrated that VR is an appropriate medium for
assessing functional behavior within the context of an ecologically valid VE. PWD did not experience
any significant increase in symptoms associated with simulator sickness, or detriments
to their psychological and physical well-being. These findings demonstrated that it is
feasible to work in VEs with PWD. |
| keywords |
Dementia, VR |
| series |
journal paper |
| type |
normal paper |
| email |
|
| full text |
 file.pdf (441,900 bytes) |
| references |
Content-type: text/plain
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| last changed |
2005/12/02 11:36 |
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