The Use and Impact of Virtual Reality Programs Supported by Aromatherapy for Older Adults: A Scoping Review
Both virtual reality (VR) and aromatherapy have shown significant potential in enhancing the health and well-being of older adults. Aromatherapy has been noted to improve the immersive quality of VR experiences. However, the combined use of these interventions for older adults has not been systemati...
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MDPI AG
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Applied Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/1/188 |
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| author | Lillian Hung Joey Wong Karen Lok Yi Wong Rynnie Cin Ee Son Mary Van W. Ben Mortenson Angelica Lim Jennifer Boger Christine Wallsworth Yong Zhao |
| author_facet | Lillian Hung Joey Wong Karen Lok Yi Wong Rynnie Cin Ee Son Mary Van W. Ben Mortenson Angelica Lim Jennifer Boger Christine Wallsworth Yong Zhao |
| author_sort | Lillian Hung |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Both virtual reality (VR) and aromatherapy have shown significant potential in enhancing the health and well-being of older adults. Aromatherapy has been noted to improve the immersive quality of VR experiences. However, the combined use of these interventions for older adults has not been systematically explored. This scoping review aims to identify existing VR programs supported by aromatherapy and evaluate their outcomes on older adults’ well-being. Following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, the review included both published and unpublished studies. A search across ten databases yielded 901 publications, from which six studies were analyzed, involving 94 participants with a mean age of 70 to 83 years. Results revealed positive impacts on well-being, cognition, and social engagement. Outcome measures included physical, psychological, emotional, and cognitive aspects like spatial orientation, stress, happiness, memory, and social interaction. Benefits included enhanced spatial awareness, memory, happiness, and reduced stress. Multisensory VR environments also fostered socialization through shared experiences and nostalgia. However, the individual differences in VR experiences indicate a need for personalized content. Despite promising findings, limited evidence supports clinical application in nursing practice. Further research is required to validate the health benefits of combining VR with aromatherapy. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-d1decf90fcd44fc9bdec7839446949e6 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-3417 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Applied Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-d1decf90fcd44fc9bdec7839446949e62025-01-10T13:14:44ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172024-12-0115118810.3390/app15010188The Use and Impact of Virtual Reality Programs Supported by Aromatherapy for Older Adults: A Scoping ReviewLillian Hung0Joey Wong1Karen Lok Yi Wong2Rynnie Cin Ee Son3Mary Van4W. Ben Mortenson5Angelica Lim6Jennifer Boger7Christine Wallsworth8Yong Zhao9School of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, CanadaSchool of Nursing, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, CanadaIDEA Lab, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, CanadaIDEA Lab, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, CanadaIDEA Lab, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, CanadaInternational Collaboration on Repair Discoveries, GF Strong Rehabilitation Research Program, Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, CanadaSchool of Computing Science, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, BC V5A 1S6, CanadaDepartment of Systems Design Engineering, University of Waterloo, Waterloo, ON N2L 3G1, CanadaIDEA Lab, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, CanadaIDEA Lab, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC V6T 2B5, CanadaBoth virtual reality (VR) and aromatherapy have shown significant potential in enhancing the health and well-being of older adults. Aromatherapy has been noted to improve the immersive quality of VR experiences. However, the combined use of these interventions for older adults has not been systematically explored. This scoping review aims to identify existing VR programs supported by aromatherapy and evaluate their outcomes on older adults’ well-being. Following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology and PRISMA-ScR guidelines, the review included both published and unpublished studies. A search across ten databases yielded 901 publications, from which six studies were analyzed, involving 94 participants with a mean age of 70 to 83 years. Results revealed positive impacts on well-being, cognition, and social engagement. Outcome measures included physical, psychological, emotional, and cognitive aspects like spatial orientation, stress, happiness, memory, and social interaction. Benefits included enhanced spatial awareness, memory, happiness, and reduced stress. Multisensory VR environments also fostered socialization through shared experiences and nostalgia. However, the individual differences in VR experiences indicate a need for personalized content. Despite promising findings, limited evidence supports clinical application in nursing practice. Further research is required to validate the health benefits of combining VR with aromatherapy.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/1/188virtual realityaromatherapyolder adultsmultisensory interventionswell-beingstress reduction |
| spellingShingle | Lillian Hung Joey Wong Karen Lok Yi Wong Rynnie Cin Ee Son Mary Van W. Ben Mortenson Angelica Lim Jennifer Boger Christine Wallsworth Yong Zhao The Use and Impact of Virtual Reality Programs Supported by Aromatherapy for Older Adults: A Scoping Review Applied Sciences virtual reality aromatherapy older adults multisensory interventions well-being stress reduction |
| title | The Use and Impact of Virtual Reality Programs Supported by Aromatherapy for Older Adults: A Scoping Review |
| title_full | The Use and Impact of Virtual Reality Programs Supported by Aromatherapy for Older Adults: A Scoping Review |
| title_fullStr | The Use and Impact of Virtual Reality Programs Supported by Aromatherapy for Older Adults: A Scoping Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Use and Impact of Virtual Reality Programs Supported by Aromatherapy for Older Adults: A Scoping Review |
| title_short | The Use and Impact of Virtual Reality Programs Supported by Aromatherapy for Older Adults: A Scoping Review |
| title_sort | use and impact of virtual reality programs supported by aromatherapy for older adults a scoping review |
| topic | virtual reality aromatherapy older adults multisensory interventions well-being stress reduction |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/1/188 |
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