Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Inge van Loenen, Willemijn Scholten, Anna Muntingh, Johannes Smit, Neeltje Batelaan
Summary: The study aims to evaluate the efficacy of virtual reality exposure-based cognitive behavioral therapy (VRE-CBT) in treating more severe anxiety disorders. The meta-analysis results show that VRE-CBT is significantly more effective than waitlist and comparable to regular CBT. The efficacy varies according to the type of anxiety disorder, recruitment method, and type of VRE-CBT. The dropout rates between VRE-CBT and CBT are not significantly different.
JOURNAL OF MEDICAL INTERNET RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Cosmin Octavian Popa, Florin Alin Sava, Simona Muresan, Alina Schenk, Cristiana Manuela Cojocaru, Lorena Mihaela Muntean, Peter Olah
Summary: This study compared the effectiveness of a standard CBT protocol with an integrative and multimodal CBT intervention augmented with VR for individuals with moderate GAD symptoms. The results showed that both interventions were effective in reducing GAD symptoms, but the standard CBT protocol was more effective in reducing worries. Therefore, VR can be integrated into CBT interventions for the treatment of GAD.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Per Trads Orskov, Mia Beck Lichtenstein, Mathias Torp Ernst, Iben Fasterholdt, Asge Frederik Matthiesen, Marco Scirea, Stephane Bouchard, Tonny Elmose Andersen
Summary: This study aims to test the efficacy of CBT with adaptive VR exposure in treating SAD, using high methodological rigor and including 90 SAD patients. The results of the study can provide valuable information about treating social anxiety.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Review
Psychiatry
Jinlong Wu, Yi Sun, Gongwei Zhang, Zhenhui Zhou, Zhanbing Ren
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of virtual reality-assisted cognitive behavioral therapy (VRCBT) in treating anxiety and depression in patients with anxiety disorders. The results showed that VRCBT had better therapeutic effects on anxiety and depression compared to the waiting list group, and similar effects to standard CBT. The comparison of withdrawal rates between VRCBT and CBT did not reach statistical significance.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Sara Arlati, Simona Gabriella Di Santo, Flaminia Franchini, Marta Mondellini, Beatrice Filiputti, Matilde Luchi, Federica Ratto, Giancarlo Ferrigno, Marco Sacco, Luca Greci
Summary: The study evaluated the acceptance and usability of an immersive virtual reality environment requiring real walking and active interaction for older adults with cognitive impairments. Results showed that older adults found the immersive VR environment to be well-accepted and enjoyable, but cognitive deficits could lead to risky behaviors and issues in interacting with virtual items.
JOURNAL OF ALZHEIMERS DISEASE
(2021)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Yolanda Alvarez-Perez, Francisco Rivero, Manuel Herrero, Conrado Vina, Ascension Fumero, Moises Betancort, Wenceslao Penate
Summary: The study found that treating 30 patients with specific phobias to small animals using CBT + VRET could significantly reduce anxiety and phobia levels, which were maintained during the follow-up period. Despite the decrease in subjective anxiety levels, brain activity results suggest there was still a fear response in the brain.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Hajer Rmadi, Pauline Maillot, Romain Artico, Edouard Baudouin, Sylvain Hanneton, Gilles Dietrich, Emmanuelle Duron
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the tolerance of older nursing home residents to head-mounted display (HMD) virtual reality (VR) by measuring their cybersickness and anxiety state. The results showed that most participants had a good tolerance to HMD VR, with only a few experiencing significant cybersickness symptoms in some sessions.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Elham Majidi, Gholamreza Manshaee
Summary: The present study aimed to investigate the effects of virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) on state-trait anxiety in individuals with dentophobia. The results indicated that VRET can be considered an effective intervention in reducing state-trait anxiety in individuals with dentophobia.
CURRENT PSYCHOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Psychiatry
Nilufar Baghaei, Vibhav Chitale, Andrej Hlasnik, Lehan Stemmet, Hai-Ning Liang, Richard Porter
Summary: The study investigated VR technologies used for depression and anxiety treatment, along with the inclusion of CBT in VRET. Most studies showed VR to be effective in supporting anxiety or depression treatment in various settings.
JMIR MENTAL HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Social
Matteo Girondini, Milena Stefanova, Margherita Pillan, Alberto Gallace
Summary: Public speaking anxiety (PSA) refers to the strong distress experienced when giving a speech in front of an audience, resulting in negative effects on work and social relationships. This study used virtual reality scenarios to investigate the impact of positive and negative audience behavior on perceived anxiety and physiological arousal. The results showed that negative audience behavior led to greater anxiety and decreased pleasantness. Additionally, the first experience had a priming effect on anxiety and arousal during subsequent performances. These findings have implications for understanding the role of audience behavior and feedback in public speaking anxiety.
CYBERPSYCHOLOGY BEHAVIOR AND SOCIAL NETWORKING
(2023)
Review
Cell Biology
Mingli Yan, Yawei Zhao, Qiuyan Meng, Shuo Wang, Yiwen Ding, Qian Liu, Huiru Yin, Li Chen
Summary: Virtual reality combined cognitive and physical interventions have potential rehabilitative effects on older adults with mild cognitive impairment. However, the effects on memory and executive function/attention are not statistically significant.
AGEING RESEARCH REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Hyu Seok Jeong, Jee Hyun Lee, Hesun Erin Kim, Jae-Jin Kim
Summary: The study suggests that short-term VR-based individual CBT with nine to ten sessions may be effective for improving social anxiety disorder. Early termination group showed significant improvement, while simply extending the sessions did not lead to significant symptom reduction. This highlights the potential efficacy of even shorter sessions in treating SAD.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Neurosciences
Waleed Riaz, Zain Yar Khan, Ali Jawaid, Suleman Shahid
Summary: This study evaluated the usability of a long-term virtual reality-based environmental enrichment training program for older adults with MCI and mild dementia. The results showed that the VR training was well-tolerated, effective in stabilizing cognitive functioning, and potentially improving mental wellbeing.
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Benjamin Schoene, Joanna Kisker, Leon Lange, Thomas Gruber, Sophia Sylvester, Roman Osinsky
Summary: Virtual reality (VR) is widely used for studying human behavior and brain functions, but it is unclear whether it represents actual reality or is just an advanced simulation. This study found that real-life and VR height exposures were mostly indistinguishable on a psychophysiological level, indicating that contemporary VR setups are capable of mimicking reality. This opens up possibilities for studying real-world cognitive and emotional processes in controlled laboratory conditions.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Computer Science, Software Engineering
Zhi-Chao Dong, Wenming Wu, Zenghao Xu, Qi Sun, Guanjie Yuan, Ligang Liu, Xiao-Ming Fu
Summary: The study introduces a novel VR algorithm that automatically restructures virtual scenes to adapt to users' physical environments for natural navigation. By optimizing the retargeting technique to preserve fidelity and consistency, it effectively reduces virtual space with high practicality.
ACM TRANSACTIONS ON GRAPHICS
(2021)
Article
Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology
Rebecca J. Bennett, Mansoureh Nickbakht, Lisa Saulsman, Nancy A. Pachana, Robert H. Eikelboom, Romola S. Bucks, Carly J. Meyer
Summary: This study aims to explore the barriers and facilitators faced by HHCs in providing information on the mental health impacts of hearing loss and management options for improving mental well-being to audiology consumers. The analysis revealed barriers including lack of knowledge, limited social opportunities, and motivational factors. Addressing these issues is essential to increase the provision of mental health information in the audiology setting.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AUDIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology
Mansoureh Nickbakht, Carly J. Meyer, Lisa Saulsman, Nancy A. Pachana, Robert H. Eikelboom, Romola S. Bucks, Rebecca J. Bennett
Summary: This study examined the barriers and facilitators faced by hearing healthcare clinicians in asking adults with hearing loss about their emotional well-being. The application of the COM-B model identified barriers in capabilities, opportunities, and motivation that need to be addressed for HHCs to effectively inquire about their clients' emotional well-being.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF AUDIOLOGY
(2023)
Editorial Material
Psychology, Clinical
Nancy A. Pachana
INTERNATIONAL PSYCHOGERIATRICS
(2022)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Sarah G. Russell, Rachel Quigley, Fintan Thompson, Betty Sagigi, Gavin Miller, Dina LoGiudice, Kate Smith, Edward Strivens, Nancy A. Pachana
Summary: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of anxiety and depression in older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander adults. The results showed that 10.6% were diagnosed with depression and 15.8% with anxiety. However, some participants found certain questions offensive, and others had difficulty understanding the concepts in the assessment tools. Therefore, further research is needed to explore the underlying factors and expressions of depression and anxiety in the Torres Strait region.
CLINICAL GERONTOLOGIST
(2023)
Review
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Amanda J. Salmon, Nancy A. Pachana
Summary: This review examined the benefits of assistance dog acquisition for older adults in various domains and compared different types of assistance dogs. The results showed that all types of dogs demonstrated benefits in all assessed domains. However, there were also disadvantages and barriers identified, highlighting the need for further research and attention to this age-group.
CLINICAL GERONTOLOGIST
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Andreia G. Jesus, Margarida Pedroso de Lima, Manuela Vilar, Nancy A. Pachana
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a psychotherapeutic intervention for homebound older adults. The results showed significant improvements in cognitive, emotional, and functional domains in the intervention group compared to the control group.
CLINICAL GERONTOLOGIST
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Colleen M. Peterson, Robyn W. Birkeland, Katie W. Louwagie, Stephanie N. Ingvalson, Lauren L. Mitchell, Theresa L. Scott, Jacki Liddle, Nancy A. Pachana, Louise Gustafsson, Joseph E. Gaugler
Summary: The CarFreeMe(TM)-Dementia program was adapted for drivers in the United States, aiming to assist drivers living with dementia and their care partners in planning for or adjusting to driving retirement. The study found that the program was feasible, acceptable, and useful, providing education and support on driving retirement, lifestyle planning, stress management, and alternative transportation options. Further investigations of the program's efficacy in the United States and other cultural contexts are needed.
JOURNALS OF GERONTOLOGY SERIES B-PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCES AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Luke Nykiel, Mandy Paterson, Nancy A. A. Pachana
Summary: This study examined the relationship between different motivations for volunteering and different outcomes experienced by animal welfare volunteers. Using an anonymous self-report questionnaire and thematic analysis of qualitative responses, three groups of volunteers were identified based on their prominent motivations: values-driven, personal-gain, and experience-oriented. Volunteers in each group experienced different outcomes, including pleasure and stress from enacting personal values, increased socialization opportunities, and a sense of purpose or gaining experience in animal care.
AUSTRALIAN PSYCHOLOGIST
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Jacki Liddle, Louise Gustafsson, Theresa Scott, Joshua Byrnes, Amanda Salmon, Nancy A. Pachana
Summary: Driving cessation is a significant life transition, and lack of support can have negative impacts on physical, mental, and social well-being. Despite the development of approaches to address driving cessation, there has been slow integration into geriatric clinical practice.
AUSTRALASIAN JOURNAL ON AGEING
(2023)
Editorial Material
Psychology, Clinical
Nancy A. Pachana
INTERNATIONAL PSYCHOGERIATRICS
(2023)
Review
Psychology, Developmental
Nancy A. Pachana
Summary: Research on anxiety in later life has made significant progress in the past two decades, but there are still gaps and opportunities in terms of assessment, diagnosis, and treatment. Cross-disciplinary linkages can further enhance the research on late-life anxiety. Studies across cultures and cohorts have improved our understanding of anxiety and advanced measurement efficacy and diagnostic accuracy. Addressing social determinants throughout the lifespan may help tackle anxiety as a global concern.
GEROPSYCH-THE JOURNAL OF GERONTOPSYCHOLOGY AND GERIATRIC PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Andreia G. Jesus, Margarida Pedroso de Lima, Manuela Vilar, Nancy A. Pachana
Summary: This study suggests that HEPPI may be a promising home-delivered cognitive-emotional intervention to help homebound older adults improve their mental health.
AGING & MENTAL HEALTH
(2023)
Letter
Psychology, Clinical
Louise Gustafsson, Jacki Liddle, Nancy A. Pachana, Theresa Lorraine Scott, Stacey George, Kate Laver
INTERNATIONAL PSYCHOGERIATRICS
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Gabriela Pacas Fronza, Gerard Byrne, Kana Appadurai, Nancy Pachana, Nadeeka N. W. Dissanayaka
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of anxiety symptoms in Australian memory clinic patients. A sample of 163 individuals and their carers were assessed using various instruments. The results showed that nearly 70% of patients experienced mild to moderate anxiety symptoms, especially in those with mild cognitive impairment and dementia. Additionally, a moderate correlation was observed between carer-report anxiety and clinician-rated measures.
CLINICAL GERONTOLOGIST
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Amanda J. Salmon, Nancy A. Pachana
Summary: The use of assistance dogs provides numerous benefits for older adult owners. However, aged care facilities still refuse to allow owners to keep their dogs despite protective legislation. This study explores whether older adults should be allowed to retain their dogs when relocating to an aged care facility, and identifies the factors to consider in making this decision. Results suggest that objective assessments and policy changes are necessary to ensure the well-being of both the owner and the dog.