Immersive Virtual Tasks With Motor and Cognitive Components: A Feasibility Study With Young and Older Adults

Objective: To analyze the feasibility, safety, and acceptability of immersive virtual tasks.

Methods: The authors recruited 11 young adults and 10 older adults. The participants performed three virtual reaching tasks while walking on a virtual path. The descriptive analysis and comparison between participants were performed using the Mann-Whitney U test and chi-square test for nonparametric and nominal variables, respectively. The authors also used analysis of variance for a between-groups comparison for normal variables.

Results: Twenty percent of older adults and 81.8% of young adults completed all three tasks (chi-square test; p = .005). Both groups reported minor symptoms, with no significant differences. The older adults were more motivated to practice the tasks (Mann-Whitney U test; p = .015) and would be more likely to suggest them to others (chi-square test; p = .034).

Conclusion: All three tasks were feasible for young adults. All participants, except for one, had cybersickness. The symptoms were mostly mild and subsided once the interaction was complete.