Multi-user activity based virtual reality to facilitate social interaction for older adults with and without dementia

This thesis describes the design, development, and evaluation of a multi-user virtual reality (MUVR) social activity space, to identify the social behaviours that emerged from older adults with and without dementia, while using social virtual reality (VR). Design elements within this virtual environment were evaluated, to identify which design elements were significant in engaging the attention and focus of older adults with and without dementia. The challenges that these target groups encountered while using the MUVR social activity space were identified and possible solutions to these challenges were suggested, together with recommendations for future research in this area. While the participants within this MUVR environment could choose to engage with the activities on their own or with other people, it was observed that participants primarily engaged with the activities on a solo basis at the commencement of the study, as opposed to interacting and connecting with the other participants in a shared social activity experience. This was identified as a consequence of their unfamiliarity and lack of confidence with VR technology, which resulted in them having to focus totally on completing their chosen task, rather than spending time socially interacting with other participants. Nevertheless, improvements in social interaction and engagement between the participants were noted as the study sessions progressed, indicating that familiarity and confidence with the use of VR technology is a significant component to the successful use of an MUVR social activity space for older adults with and without dementia. This study also recommends the inclusion of more shared activities that require the participation of a group of people in each activity, to promote social interaction opportunities among participants in the creation of future MUVR social activity spaces. However, participants would require access to education and training in VR technologies, to promote confidence and competency in their use of VR, in order to obtain more significant outcomes for social interaction within the MUVR social activity space. Several strategies were identified, to overcome the identified challenges with the use of VR, for the older adults with and without dementia in the study. A simplified VR interaction system was created, to facilitate the use of the VR controllers. It was found that some older adults continued to have difficulty becoming familiar with the use of the controllers, without the assistance of a support person/facilitator. The inclusion of support people in this study proved to be a highly significant component, as they could provide guidance and assistance to the participants when required. The presence of the support person enabled the participants to navigate the MUVR social activity space more easily, together with providing them with a sense of confidence and reassurance. It is recommended that each participant would have access to a support person in future MUVR studies, where possible. This thesis provides a framework for the design of MUVR applications for older adults with and without dementia and includes design considerations for future research development in this area. While this study developed and examined an MUVR social activity space for its potential use in creating socialisation opportunities for older people with and without dementia, a future potential use of MUVR by health care professionals including occupational therapists and activity co-ordinators is suggested, which could enable them to simultaneously deliver non-pharmacological interventions to many older people, while they remain in the comfort of their own homes or places of residence. Finally, this thesis observed and recorded incidences of social interactions between older people with and without dementia, while they engaged with the MUVR social activity space, from multiple geographical locations. It is acknowledged that while there was a high level of social connectedness observed and recorded among most participants in the study, this did not automatically corelate into a frequency of social interaction events, due mainly to the identified barriers. Nevertheless, social interaction events were observed and recorded among the participants despite the identified challenges, which confirms the potential usage of this MUVR social activity space as a means of promoting social interaction for older people with and without dementia and to assist with addressing the significant problem of social isolation, together with its negative implication for the health and wellbeing of these population groups.

Funder

Research Ireland

Publisher

University of Galway

Rights

CC BY-NC-ND

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University of Galway Theses (PhD Theses)