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. 2023 Apr 1:9:23337214231166355.
doi: 10.1177/23337214231166355. eCollection 2023 Jan-Dec.

Facilitators and Barriers to Using Virtual Reality and its Impact on Social Engagement in Aged Care Settings: A Scoping Review

Lillian Hung  1 , Jim Mann  1 , Christine Wallsworth  1 , Mona Upreti  1 , Winnie Kan  1 , Alisha Temirova  1 , Karen Lok Yi Wong  1 , Haopu Ren  1 , Flora To-Miles  1 , Joey Wong  1 , Caitlin Lee  1 , David Kar Lai So  1 , Sonia Hardern  2
Affiliations

Facilitators and Barriers to Using Virtual Reality and its Impact on Social Engagement in Aged Care Settings: A Scoping Review

Lillian Hung et al. Gerontol Geriatr Med. .

Abstract

Aim: This scoping review aims to identify the facilitators and barriers to the implementation of VR technology in the aged-care setting. Background: Virtual reality (VR) offers the potential to reduce social isolation and loneliness through increased social engagement in aged-care settings. Methods and Analysis: This scoping review followed the Joanna Briggs Institute scoping review methodology and took place between March and August 2022. The review included a three-step search strategy: (1) identifying keywords from CINHAL, Embase, Medline, PsycInfo, Scopus, and Web of Science (2) conducting a second search using all identified keywords and index terms across selected databases; and (3) searching the reference lists of all included articles and reports for additional studies. Results: The final review included 22 articles. The analysis identified factors affecting the VR technology implementation in aged care settings to reduce isolation and loneliness: (a) key facilitators are local champions and staff training. (b) barriers include technological adaptability, video quality, and organizational culture. Conclusion: Existing evidence points to VR as a promising intervention to decrease loneliness and feelings of isolation and improve social engagement in older people living in aged-care settings.

Keywords: Virtual Reality; aged care; isolation; loneliness; scoping; social engagement.

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Conflict of interest statement

The author(s) declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
VR Scoping review PRISMA flow chart.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Graphic map of themes utilized for the scoping review.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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