MyndVR and the Legacy of Willow Bend are showing that virtual reality is more than just a fun experience for young people, it can have positive health effects on our aging community.
The Plano retirement community and the Dallas-based VR company teamed up recently to conduct a field trial of the health benefits of virtual reality to senior residents at the center.
“The trial is demonstrating a variety of benefits for the residents, and it even brought some to tears because of the joy they felt,” Marilyn Israel, executive director of The Legacy Willow Bend, said in a release. “In one case, a resident living with Alzheimer’s exhibited personality traits she had prior to the diagnosis, including dancing, smiling and singing. In addition, one resident felt relief from symptoms of Parkinson’s.”
“In one case, a resident living with Alzheimer’s exhibited personality traits she had prior to the diagnosis, including dancing, smiling and singing.”
Marilyn Israel
She said everyone involved in the trial was impressed by the response to VR.
This was the first field trial by MyndVR of its exclusive, research-based wellness and entertainment content.
Up to 20 residents at The Legacy Willow Bend participated in the trial at all levels of care, including independent living, assisted living, memory care, and skilled nursing, according to press release.
Participants used virtual reality equipment to take them through several interactive environments, which created engagement and contentment, the release said.
“We are extremely passionate about providing seniors with a new genre of recreational and therapeutic experiences, and we are thrilled with the response of the residents in the trial,” MyndVR co-founder Chris Brickler said. “Our next step is to hold clinical trials that include brain scans to show how our unique content and technology creates emotional connections and establish the basis for prescriptive digital therapy.”
The Legacy Willow Bend said it and MyndVR will continue to work together on an ongoing basis to test new content and components as they are developed.
A resident at The Legacy Willow Bend smiles while using MyndVR’s technology. [Photo Courtesy The Legacy Willow Bend]
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