Browsing by Author "Pereira, Miguel"
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- Effects of a reminiscence therapy program on neuropsychiatric symptoms and quality of life in people with dementia: a pilot study comparing immersive virtual reality and non-immersive approachesPublication . Soares, Maria; Quental, Vanessa; Pereira, Miguel; Sanchez, Ana Isabel Corregidor; Costa, Ana; Portugal, Paula; Coelho, Tiago; Coelho, Tiago; Portugal, PaulaThis study compared the impact of an immersive virtual reality (VR)-based reminiscence therapy program with a similar non-immersive intervention on neuropsychiatric symptoms and quality of life of people with dementia. A pilot randomized controlled trial was conducted with 14 individuals with mild to moderately severe dementia, who participated in eight biweekly individual reminiscence sessions conducted by trained researchers, in which 360° videos of locations with personal relevance were displayed. Participants were randomly divided in two groups: one receiving therapy using VR headsets to promote an immersive experience while the other watched the videos on a monitor (non-immersive approach). Assessment was conducted pre- and post-intervention using the Quality of Life in Alzheimer’s Disease Scale to measure quality of life and the Geriatric Depression Scale, Generalized Anxiety Disorder Scale and Neuropsychiatric Inventory to evaluate neuropsychiatric symptoms. Adverse simulation-related symptoms were also assessed with the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire. There were no statistically significant differences between groups at baseline, regarding sociodemographic variables and level of dementia progression. The results indicated significant improvements post-intervention in quality of life from caregivers’ perspectives in the non-immersive group (p < .05) but not in the VR group. Differences in overall neuropsychiatric symptoms, depressive symptoms and anxiety symptoms between assessments were non-significant. However, slight improvements were visible, particularly regarding anxiety. Only a few instances of mild cybersickness symptoms were reported in both groups. In this study, pre- and post-intervention comparisons do not support the added value of using immersive VR in reminiscence therapy for people living with dementia. This raises questions about whether VR is worthwhile compared to traditional approaches, and how to better capture potential benefits of immersion with VR, which may be more evident considering in-session engagement and well-being or longer intervention programs.
- Effects of an immersive virtual reality reminiscence intervention on engagement, behavioral and psychological symptoms, and well-being of people with dementia: A randomized crossover trialPublication . Pereira, Miguel; Leite, Cláudia; Campos, Carlos; Coelho, Tiago; Coelho, Tiago; Campos, CarlosVirtual reality (VR) is a novel technology that can facilitate reminiscence in people with dementia. However, few studies have explored the role of VR’s immersiveness in enhancing therapeutic outcomes. This study aimed to analyze the effects of an immersive VR reminiscence session compared to a non-immersive session, focusing on engagement, behavioral and psychological symptoms (BPSD), and well-being, using behavioral observation and physiological metrics. A randomized crossover trial with a seven-day washout period was conducted. Engagement, BPSD and well-being were assessed before, during and after each intervention using both observational scales and heart rate variability analysis. 20 participants (average age 80.55 years, 90% women) were recruited. Significant pre-post differences were found in behavioral engagement (z=−2.67, p=0.008) and facial expression of apathy (z=−2.12, p=0.034) during the immersive intervention. Additionally, lower apathy in terms of purposeful activity was observed during the immersive intervention (z=−2.24, p=0.025). These results are particularly noteworthy given the sample size, which, although small, highlights a clear trend of behavioral and apathy change. The results suggest that VR’s immersiveness can enhance engagement in dementia intervention programs. As VR technology becomes more accessible and safer, continued research is needed to explore its therapeutic potential.
- Exposure to immersive relaxing virtual environments for hospitalized patientsPublication . Pereira, Miguel; Oliveira, Patrícia; Gomes, Manuela; Sousa, SaraHospitalized patients are often characterized by various stress factors that can have an impact on their mental health and hospital experience. Improving the quality of life of these bedridden patients is an important task by relieving their anxiety, reducing their pain, and encouraging them in their fight against disease. Virtual reality has already been proved to be a novel and promising tool to improve the quality of life of hospitalized patients. Therefore, the purpose of this chapter is to focus on studies that gave evidence to the feasibility of virtual reality relaxation therapies for hospitalized patients, which virtual reality relaxation therapies are most used, and the benefits and limitations of this type of intervention.
- Virtual reality interventions to improve function after strokePublication . Pereira, Miguel; Oliveira, Patrícia; Gomes, Manuela; Fernandes, Ângela; Portugal, Paula; Coelho, TiagoStroke is the most common neurological disease and one of the most common fatal diseases in the world. Stroke patients suffer from several physical, cognitive, and sensory complications that impact their functionality and independence in daily activities and, consequently, can reduce their quality of life. Given this impact, it is important to assess the various ways to ensure effective and satisfactory rehabilitation for the stroke person. Virtual reality has been proven in recent times as a promising tool in stroke motor rehabilitation, being effective with its immersive elements and, at the same time, motivating patients. With all this in mind, this chapter aimed to analyze the current scientific evidence of Virtual Reality intervention for functional rehabilitation of stroke patients.