Virtual Reality Exercises for Alzheimer's or Dementia

Abstract

<h3>Research Objectives</h3> To Create a Virtual Reality (VR) application that encourages people living with Alzheimer's disease and dementia to exercise in combination with a haptic therapeutic vibration device. <h3>Design</h3> Game designed with Unity game engine (C# coding) based on literature reviews and interviews with SMEs. Virtual environment loads onto VR headset; VR application responds to input from a Bluetooth module connected to VibeTech controller. Sensors and motors enable simple, interactive, therapeutic VR experiences. <h3>Setting</h3> Game design has taken place on the UW-Stout campus and home offices of the project team. Beta testers of the game will include memory care residents in senior living and skilled nursing. <h3>Participants</h3> Older adults living with Alzheimer's disease are the intended users of the VR rehab games and therapeutic vibration device developed here. <h3>Interventions</h3> VR gaming with haptic therapeutic vibration provides stimulation that triggers muscle contraction in the legs. As the user pushes against a haptic vibration plate, it pushes back to deliver resistance exercise to the user. <h3>Main Outcome Measures</h3> Key design elements and features are bench tested and verified before release in the clinical setting. User engagement will be evaluated in future studies. <h3>Results</h3> An interactive 3D environment has been created for the Oculus Quest 2.The effect created from this positive reinforcement technique partnered with the relaxing virtual environments is our solution to the problem of patients experiencing an impaired cognitive ability to exercise. <h3>Conclusions</h3> Our team is creating new tools for caregivers of Alzheimer's residents. The work aims to better engage this population in simple, safe physical activity that is well-suited for individuals with low physical and cognitive function. <h3>Author(s) Disclosures</h3> Ahmet Turkmen, PhD is an unpaid technical advisor to VibeTech. Jeff Leismer, PhD is an owner of VibeTech. No other authors have anything to disclose.