Effects of multisensory environmental stimulation interventions using virtual reality therapy in patients with dementia and comorbid conditions
As the incidence of dementia rises annually, the demand for cognitive intervention in dementia patients with comorbid underlying diseases has become increasingly urgent. However, most existing studies focus on single-modal interventions, and there remains a gap in exploring the composite intervention model of virtual reality (VR) technology combined with multisensory stimulation and its core effect mechanism. This study aims to investigate the effects of a multisensory environmental stimulation intervention using VR therapy in patients with dementia and comorbid conditions. Patients with dementia and comorbidities (n = 88), admitted to the hospital between July 2024 and July 2025, were selected as study participants. The patients were divided into a control group (Group A, n = 44) and an observation group (Group B, n = 44) based on comparable baseline characteristics. Both groups received standard care interventions. Group A received conventional rehabilitation and recreational therapy, while Group B received similar treatment combined with the VR-based multisensory environmental stimulation intervention. Before and after the intervention, patient outcomes were assessed using the following scales: the ABC Dementia Scale (ABC-DS) for comprehensive geriatric assessment in dementia, the Chinese version of the Resistance to Care Scale (RTC-C), and the Quality of Life in Alzheimer’s Disease Scale (QOL-AD). These assessments measured the patients’ physical and psychological functions, compliance with healthcare staff, and quality of life. After the intervention, scores on the ABC-DS and QOL-AD scales in Group B were significantly higher than those in Group A (p < 0.05). In contrast, the RTC-C score in Group B was lower than that in Group A, and this difference was also statistically significant (p < 0.05). The VR-based multisensory environmental stimulation intervention can improve overall functioning and compliance with treatment and care in patients with dementia and comorbidities, and enhance their quality of life.
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