Withdrawal: Remote Reminiscence Using Immersive Virtual Reality May Be Efficacious for Reducing Anxiety in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment Even in COVID-19 Pandemic: A Case Report

Abstract

To prevent cognitive decline, non-pharmacological therapies such as reminiscence for mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are required, however, the use of nursing homes was limited due to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Therefore, the demand for remote-care is increasing. We hypothesized that immersive virtual reality (iVR) could be used more effectively than conventional reminiscence for anxiety. We first examined the effectiveness and safety of reminiscence using iVR (iVR reminiscence session) in patients with MCI. After COVID-19 imposed restriction on visiting nursing homes, we conducted online iVR reminiscence session (remote iVR reminiscence session) and compared its effectiveness with that of interpersonal iVR reminiscence session (face-to-face iVR reminiscence session). The results of two elderly with MCI suggested that iVR reminiscence could reduce anxiety and the burden of care without serious side effects. The effects of remote iVR reminiscence might be almost as effective as those of face-to-face one.

Virtual Reality Applications in Medicine During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Systematic Review

“…The ICU staff considered VR logistically and operationally feasible [ 49 ]. Fourth, remote reminiscence training conducted during the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic using immersive VR diminished state anxiety without serious side effects (ie, nausea, dizziness, and headache) in patients with mild cognitive impairment [ 91 ]. Fifth, immersive VR exposure therapy showing scenes related to COVID-19 was effective in diminishing anxiety symptoms among patients with chief complaints of fear of COVID-19 [ 85 ], and in reducing levels of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression among patients treated in the ICU due to COVID-19 [ 96 ].…”

“…In 21 studies reporting the number of sessions using VR, the mean number of sessions was 4.1, ranging from 1 (eg, [ 91 , 92 , 99 ]) to 56 sessions [ 70 ]. The number of minutes spent using VR differed among studies from about 5 minutes (eg, [ 79 , 99 ]) to up to 4 hours [ 48 , 70 ].…”

“…From this systematic review, VR was found to be useful during the COVID-19 pandemic for reducing stress (eg, [ 75 , 80 , 96 ]), anxiety [ 91 ], depression [ 95 ], and pain [ 70 ], and promoting physical activity [ 79 , 90 ]. This technology has been successfully used in healthy people (eg, [ 74 , 86 , 92 , 94 ]); COVID-19 ICU health care workers [ 80 , 81 ]; patients with various diseases, including mild cognitive impairment [ 91 ], mild depressive disorders [ 95 ], and cerebral palsy [ 79 ]; chief complaints of fear of COVID-19 [ 85 ]; and individuals treated in the ICU due to COVID-19 [ 49 , 71 , 96 ].…”

“…From this review, not only VR environments developed ad hoc, but also commercial contents (eg, VR video games downloaded from the Steam platform, and 360° videos and photos available on YouTube) were useful for diminishing stress [ 92 ], anxiety [ 91 ], and depression [ 95 ], and for promoting physical activity [ 90 ]. These findings seem interesting since using commercial off-the-shelf VR video games and experiences for promoting mental health and physical activity could have several advantages, including their low cost and ready-to-use format, their advanced graphic quality, and the possibility to reach millions of individuals worldwide [ 107 , 118 ].…”

Potential of Internet of Medical Things (IoMT) applications in building a smart healthcare system: A systematic review

“… 29 Yahara et al, 2021 described immersive VR induced remote reminiscence could reduce anxiety in patients with mild cognitive impairment . 30 VR can be useful in providing palliative care and reducing the negative effects of the current pandemic via video calls and simulation of the real-togetherness feel of people without traveling. In Augmented reality, superimposed computer images manipulate the users' view of the real world.…”