Exploring the Impact of Virtual Reality and Avatars on Social Engagement in Older Adults at a Day Service Program

Communication challenges are prevalent in older adults with cognitive decline and can contribute to social withdrawal and reduced quality of life. This study examined whether immersive virtual reality (VR), with and without a simplified avatar conveying the researcher's presence, would support conversational engagement and positive affect, compared to picture-assisted conversation. Four older adults (aged 87–93) showing symptoms of memory impairment at a nursing home day service program participated. Using a single-case alternating-treatments design, three conditions were compared: VR, VR with an avatar, and Pictures. Dependent variables were verbal initiations, word count, cumulative speaking duration, and happiness indices, and social validity questionnaires were also administered. Where condition-level differences emerged, they favored picture-assisted conversation. Verbal initiations did not differ consistently between conditions. Adding the avatar did not differentiate the two VR conditions on any measure. Participants tolerated the sessions well, with no adverse events, and enjoyed the conversations. For two of the four, word count under VR was similar to picture-assisted conversation. No participant selected a VR condition in their Choice session, although two named VR with the avatar as the most enjoyable. The findings suggest that VR-based conversation is a feasible and welcome activity for older adults with memory impairment, and that future iterations may benefit from avatars that convey more of the conversation partner's expressions and movements, and from environments adapted to personal experience. Keywords: virtual reality, avatars, communication, engagement, older adults, cognitive decline

Author dc:creator

• Jóhannes Hrafn Guðmundsson 1998-

Contributors dc:contributor

• Háskólinn í Reykjavík

• Hagnýt atferlisgreining
• Meistaraprófsritgerðir
• Aldraðir
• Heilabilun
• Sýndarveruleiki
• Boðskipti
• Applied behavior analysis
• Older people
• Dementia
• Virtual reality
• Communication

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

https://hdl.handle.net/1946/53876

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:skemman.is:1946/53876