Center for Research and Education on Aging and Technology Enhancement - CREATE V
Weill Medical College of Cornell University
Summary
Project 1: The goal of this research project is to examine usability and acceptance of virtual reality (VR) applications and their efficacy with older adults. This highly innovative cross-site Stage 1 Intervention Development Project (NIH (National Institutes of Health) Stage Model) will apply the CREATE systematic approach to the design and evaluation of an immersive VR program, Cognitive Activity Social Technology (CAST), for older adults. The program will provide a suite of virtual cognitive, social and activity engagement applications; and allow for virtual interactions.
Description
Deployment of technology in healthcare and day-to- day activities is increasing and advances in technology such as artificial intelligence (AI) are increasingly aimed at supporting older adults. Yet, aging adults are often ignored in design, and robust research evaluating the usability, safety, and efficacy of these systems with older adults is limited. Even among older technology adopters, rapid changes in technology pose challenges in terms of the constant need for adaptation and continual learning. Further, there remains a lag in uptake among many older adult sub-groups, including ethnic mi…
Eligibility
- Age range
- 60+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria: * 65+ years of age * Able to read English at the 6th grade level * Have 20/60 vision with or without correction. Exclusion Criteria: * Blind or have visual impairments that limit their ability to view the technology. * Deaf or have hearing impairments that limit their ability to answer telephone queries. * Have a life-limiting/terminal illness * Severe motor impairment (e.g., severe tremors or debilitating arthritis in their hands) that impairs ability to speak or use dominant hand * Chronic neck pain/injury that might make the headset uncomfortable
Interventions
- BehavioralProject 1, Phase 2: VR Program for Social, Activity, and Cognitive Engagement
The investigators will apply a systematic approach to the design and evaluation of an immersive Cognitive Activity Social Technology (CAST) VR intervention (using the Oculus Quest 2), that provides aging adults a suite of virtual cognitive, social, and activity engagement applications. The program will allow for virtual interactions (one-on one or groups), cultural, creativity, and educational opportunities, and gaming.
Locations (3)
- Florida State UniversityTallahassee, Florida
- University of Illinois Urbana-ChampaignChampaign, Illinois
- Weill Cornell MedicineNew York, New York