Development of a novel approach to prevent cognitive decline by non-drug therapy combining VR-based reminiscence and integrative medicine

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K19308
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 59010:Rehabilitation science-related
• Research Institution: Osaka University
• Principal Investigator: Niki Kazuyuki 大阪大学, 大学院薬学研究科, 助教 (00712879)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: デジタル治療 / 認知症 / 回想法 / バーチャルリアリティ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

A total of 40 nursing home users cooperated in the study, and were classified into 20 head-mounted display (HMD) group and 20 monitor group. Reminiscence sessions utilizing HMDs or monitors were conducted once a week for about 10 minutes each session for 3 months, and cognitive functions were evaluated before and 3 months after the sessions started. The degree of anxiety before and after each reminiscence session, as well as satisfaction and adverse reactions after the session, were also assessed. Regarding the amount of change in cognitive function score, the monitored group showed a significant increase in score after 3 months. The degree of anxiety significantly decreased after the intervention compared to before the intervention in both groups, but there was no significant difference between the two groups. Mean satisfaction was significantly higher in the monitor group than in the HMD group. No adverse reactions were observed in both groups.

Free Research Field

デジタル治療

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

認知機能スコア変化の結果から、HMDよりもモニターを用いた回想法の方が認知機能の低下抑制に貢献する可能性が示唆された。また、モニター群の方がHMD群よりも満足度が有意に高かったことから、テレビ等で慣れ親しんでいるモニターの方が高齢者にとっては受け入れられやすく、HMDより大きな効果が得られたのではないかと考えられた。後期高齢者を対象とし、3か月間にわたるVR回想法の効果をHMDとモニターで比較した臨床研究は世界でも少ないため、本研究の成果は、DX時代の新たな認知症予防法を検討するにあたり貴重な知見となり得ると考える。