The Benefits of Nostalgia-Based Virtual Reality Brain Health Interventions on Nostalgia Tendencies, Life Satisfaction, Psychological Well-Being, Depression Levels, and Cognitive Function in Older Adults
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 已完成
- 入组人数
- 64
- 试验地点
- 2
- 主要终点
- Change in Cognitive Function Assessed by MoCA-T
研究概览
简要总结
This randomized controlled trial investigates the effects of a nostalgia-based cognitive training intervention delivered via Virtual Reality (VR) on emotional well-being and cognitive functioning among community-dwelling older adults (≥65 years) in northern Taiwan, specifically targeting those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild dementia. The study, conducted at National Taiwan Normal University, aims to assess whether engaging older adults in nostalgic VR experiences can enhance nostalgia proneness, life satisfaction, and psychological well-being, while also reducing depressive symptoms and improving cognitive functions.
Participants who meet inclusion criteria (aged 65+, capable of communicating in Mandarin or Taiwanese, without severe psychiatric conditions, with sufficient vision/hearing) will be randomly assigned to either the experimental group receiving the "Brain Health Nostalgic VR Program" or a control group engaged in routine weekly activities. Each session, scheduled twice weekly, spans 25-35 minutes in total, including setup, support, and breaks, while the actual VR usage time is 15-25 minutes depending on individual tolerance. Research staff will provide close support and safety monitoring during all sessions.
Pre- and post-intervention outcomes will be measured using standardized assessments: Southampton Nostalgia Scale (SNS), Short-Form Life Satisfaction Index (LSI-SF), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), Short-Form Chinese version of Ryff's Psychological Well-being Scale (PWB-18), and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Taiwan Version (MoCA-T). The study emphasizes participant safety and data confidentiality throughout its duration. Findings aim to demonstrate VR's potential as a non-invasive, preventive strategy for cognitive decline and mental health enhancement among older populations.
详细描述
This randomized controlled trial (RCT) examines the effectiveness of a culturally tailored, nostalgia-based virtual reality (VR) program in promoting cognitive health and emotional well-being among older adults (≥65 years) in northern Taiwan. The study is designed in response to Taiwan's rapid transition into a super-aged society, where dementia prevalence and caregiving burdens are expected to rise significantly. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) represents a critical transitional state with cognitive plasticity, providing a valuable opportunity for early non-pharmacological intervention.
Theoretical Framework
The intervention is guided by Expectation Confirmation Theory (ECT), which emphasizes how perceptions of usefulness, ease of use, and enjoyment influence participants' satisfaction and long-term intention to adopt health-related technologies. This framework allows the study to move beyond clinical outcomes and assess the feasibility and sustainability of VR interventions among older adults.
Intervention Features
The Brain Health Nostalgic VR Program integrates reminiscence therapy with cognitive training within immersive VR. The content is uniquely designed with Taiwan-specific cultural elements, such as traditional wedding rituals, historical films, and familiar objects from everyday life, to evoke strong nostalgic responses and enhance emotional engagement.
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Interventional
- 分配方式
- Randomized
- 干预模型
- Parallel
- 主要目的
- Prevention
- 盲法
- None
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 65 Years 至 —（Older Adult）
- 性别
- All
- 接受健康志愿者
- 否
入选标准
- •Age 65 years or older
- •Able to communicate in Mandarin or Taiwanese
- •Capable of wearing and operating a VR headset and handheld controllers
- •Sufficient vision and hearing to interact with VR content (assistive devices permitted)
- •Able to provide informed consent or have a legal guardian provide consent
排除标准
- •Diagnosis of severe dementia or advanced neurodegenerative disease
- •Severe psychiatric disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder)
- •Major visual or auditory impairments that would interfere with VR use, even with assistive devices
- •Unconsciousness, inability to stay awake or focused for the session duration Inability to comply with study protocol or scheduled sessions
研究组 & 干预措施
Nostalgia-Based VR Cognitive Training
Participants in this arm will receive the "Brain Health Nostalgic VR Program," a culturally grounded virtual reality intervention integrating nostalgic elements representative of Taiwanese culture (e.g., old photographs, household objects, traditional media, and familiar scenarios) with interactive cognitive training. The training targets seven domains: attention, imagination and creativity, observation, memory, reasoning, reading comprehension, and thinking. Each session spans 25-35 minutes in total, including setup, support, brief reflection, and closure, while the actual VR usage time is 15-25 minutes depending on individual tolerance. The intervention is conducted in 12 sessions, scheduled in principle twice weekly, at the participant's day-care center, with full assistance and monitoring by the research team.
干预措施: Brain Health Nostalgic VR Program (Behavioral)
Routine Weekly Activities
Participants in this arm will continue with their routine weekly activities provided by their respective long-term care facilities. These activities may include light physical exercise, social engagement, passive entertainment (e.g., watching TV), or unstructured leisure. No structured cognitive training or VR-related content will be administered. This arm serves as a control group for comparison with the experimental group receiving the nostalgia-based VR intervention.
结局指标
主要结局
Change in Cognitive Function Assessed by MoCA-T
时间窗: Baseline, post-intervention (up to 8 weeks), and 3 months post-intervention
Cognitive function will be measured using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment - Taiwan Version (MoCA-T), a validated tool for detecting mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and early dementia. The MoCA-T assesses multiple domains including memory, attention, executive function, language, and visuospatial skills. Score range: 0-30 Interpretation: Higher scores indicate better cognitive functioning. For the Taiwanese version, a cutoff score of 23/24 has been suggested as the optimal threshold for distinguishing MCI patients from cognitively normal controls.
Change in Cognitive Function Assessed by MoCA-T
时间窗: Baseline, Week 12, Week 24
Cognitive function will be measured using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment - Taiwan Version (MoCA-T), a validated tool for detecting mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and early dementia. The MoCA-T assesses multiple domains including memory, attention, executive function, language, and visuospatial skills. Score range: 0-30 Interpretation: Higher scores indicate better cognitive functioning. For the Taiwanese version, a cutoff score of 23/24 has been suggested as the optimal threshold for distinguishing MCI patients from cognitively normal controls.
次要结局
- Change in Nostalgia Proneness Assessed by Southampton Nostalgia Scale (SNS)(Baseline, post-intervention (up to 8 weeks), and 3 months post-intervention)
- Change in Depression Symptoms Assessed by GDS-15(Baseline, post-intervention (up to 8 weeks), and 3 months post-intervention)
- Change in Psychological Well-being Assessed by PWB-18(Baseline, post-intervention (up to 8 weeks), and 3 months post-intervention)
- Change in Life Satisfaction Assessed by LSI-SF(Baseline, post-intervention (up to 8 weeks), and 3 months post-intervention)
- Change in Nostalgia Proneness Assessed by Southampton Nostalgia Scale (SNS)(Baseline, Week 12, Week 24)
- Change in Depression Symptoms Assessed by GDS-15(Baseline, Week 12, Week 24)
- Change in Psychological Well-being Assessed by PWB-18(Baseline, Week 12, Week 24)
- Change in Life Satisfaction Assessed by LSI-SF(Baseline, Week 12, Week 24)