During the COVID-19 pandemic, the harsh reality of isolation became front and center for seniors, especially in nursing homes.As care facilities search for new ways to help residents adapt to limited interaction with other residents and visitors, a new study is poised to provide a possible solution. A global study currently underway through Stanford University hopes to provide qualitative insight between virtual reality and the aging population. The study promises to be the largest study of its kind in history.The study is made possible through the partnerships with MyndVR and AT&T. Among the approximate 50 global partners involved in the study is Maple Knoll Village in Springdale.MyndVR sells virtual reality headset kits with an accompanying tablet. MyndVR says its starter price is $6,000 a year per senior community with a two-year contract. This includes three headsets and access to its VR content library.Participants can slip on a headset and choose different virtual experiences like concerts, international and space travel and a Broadway performance.Maple Knoll says it was already an existing MyndVR customers before the study began. Upon request, they purchased more devices to have a total of seven kits.The retirement community says the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the increased realities of isolation spurred its decision to participate in the study."I think COVID really strengthened the need for that," Maple Knoll Village Vice President of Marketing and Business Development Megan Ulrich said. "So many people were combating, you know, depression, isolation, loneliness. And if we can give them an opportunity to experience new education, travel somewhere safely without ever leaving their home, this is something that I think it's going to be a huge benefit to our seniors."Ulrich says to not discredit seniors when it comes to VR, especially considering some have lived through the development of televisions, cellphones, computers, tablets and now virtual realities.One Maple Knoll resident participating in the trial and who helped financially back the opportunity to bring VR to Maple Knoll is Barb Desalvo.Desalvo, 79, strapped on the headset and narrated her virtual experience of being on stage during the opening number of Disney's "The Lion King" stage production. “I think it’s just a hoot to do this," Desalvo said about her VR experience. "But, besides that, I think there are a lot of people that are not as active and can’t get out as easily or are isolated because of family or whatever. This just takes you to another world altogether. And that’s so refreshing and comforting, I think.”MyndVR says it is also aware that the virtual reality headsets can potentially do more than provide an entertaining escape."What we do envision virtual reality, and especially the product that we're building at MyndVR, is to help with some of those side effects that do come along with dementia, that do come along with Parkinson's, that might come along with ocular degeneration," MyndVR CEO Chris Brickler said. "So we're looking at ways that VR can help make people's lives better."Brickler says the global study is expected to talk about four to six months to complete with initiation results expected in the first 90 days.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, the harsh reality of isolation became front and center for seniors, especially in nursing homes.
As care facilities search for new ways to help residents adapt to limited interaction with other residents and visitors, a new study is poised to provide a possible solution.
A global study currently underway through Stanford University hopes to provide qualitative insight between virtual reality and the aging population. The study promises to be the largest study of its kind in history.
The study is made possible through the partnerships with MyndVR and AT&T.
Among the approximate 50 global partners involved in the study is Maple Knoll Village in Springdale.
MyndVR sells virtual reality headset kits with an accompanying tablet. MyndVR says its starter price is $6,000 a year per senior community with a two-year contract. This includes three headsets and access to its VR content library.
Participants can slip on a headset and choose different virtual experiences like concerts, international and space travel and a Broadway performance.
Maple Knoll says it was already an existing MyndVR customers before the study began. Upon request, they purchased more devices to have a total of seven kits.
The retirement community says the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the increased realities of isolation spurred its decision to participate in the study.
"I think COVID really strengthened the need for that," Maple Knoll Village Vice President of Marketing and Business Development Megan Ulrich said. "So many people were combating, you know, depression, isolation, loneliness. And if we can give them an opportunity to experience new education, travel somewhere safely without ever leaving their home, this is something that I think it's going to be a huge benefit to our seniors."
Ulrich says to not discredit seniors when it comes to VR, especially considering some have lived through the development of televisions, cellphones, computers, tablets and now virtual realities.
One Maple Knoll resident participating in the trial and who helped financially back the opportunity to bring VR to Maple Knoll is Barb Desalvo.
Desalvo, 79, strapped on the headset and narrated her virtual experience of being on stage during the opening number of Disney's "The Lion King" stage production.
“I think it’s just a hoot to do this," Desalvo said about her VR experience. "But, besides that, I think there are a lot of people that are not as active and can’t get out as easily or are isolated because of family or whatever. This just takes you to another world altogether. And that’s so refreshing and comforting, I think.”
MyndVR says it is also aware that the virtual reality headsets can potentially do more than provide an entertaining escape.
"What we do envision virtual reality, and especially the product that we're building at MyndVR, is to help with some of those side effects that do come along with dementia, that do come along with Parkinson's, that might come along with ocular degeneration," MyndVR CEO Chris Brickler said. "So we're looking at ways that VR can help make people's lives better."
Brickler says the global study is expected to talk about four to six months to complete with initiation results expected in the first 90 days.
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