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. 2020 Nov 2;22(11):e19002.
doi: 10.2196/19002.

Effects of a Combination of Three-Dimensional Virtual Reality and Hands-on Horticultural Therapy on Institutionalized Older Adults' Physical and Mental Health: Quasi-Experimental Design

Tsung-Yi Lin  1 , Chiu-Mieh Huang  2 , Hsiao-Pei Hsu  2 , Jung-Yu Liao  3 , Vivian Ya-Wen Cheng  4 , Shih-Wen Wang  5 , Jong-Long Guo #  5
Affiliations

Effects of a Combination of Three-Dimensional Virtual Reality and Hands-on Horticultural Therapy on Institutionalized Older Adults' Physical and Mental Health: Quasi-Experimental Design

Tsung-Yi Lin et al. J Med Internet Res. .

Abstract

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

Objective: This study explored the effects of a combination of 3D virtual reality and horticultural therapy on institutionalized older adults' physical and mental health.

Methods: The study used a quasi-experimental design. A total of 106 older adults from 2 long-term care facilities were recruited and assigned to the experimental (n=59) or control (n=47) group. The experimental participants received a 9-week intervention. Both groups completed 3 assessments: at baseline, after the intervention, and 2 months later. The outcome variables included health status, meaning in life, perceived mattering, loneliness, and depression.

Results: The experimental group demonstrated significantly improved health status (P<.001), meaning in life (P<.001), and perceived mattering (P<.001) as well as significantly reduced depression (P<.001) and loneliness (P<.001) compared to the control group immediately after the intervention; these effects persisted for up to 2 months.

Conclusions: This study verified the beneficial effects of a combination of 3D virtual reality and hands-on horticultural therapy on older adults' health. These results could support the future successful implementation of similar programs for institutionalized older adults on a larger scale.

Keywords: 3D VR; horticultural therapy; long-term care facility; mental health; older adults.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest: None declared.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flowchart of participant enrollment and assessment.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Example of the 3D virtual reality and hands-on horticultural therapy program and hand-made horticultural products. VR: virtual reality.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Changes in outcome variables between the experimental group and the control group at 3 time points for (1) health status, (2) meaning in life, (3) perceived mattering, (4) loneliness (reverse scored), and (5) depression (reverse scored). T1: pretest; T2: postintervention; T3: 2-month follow-up.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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