Natural Virtual Reality in the Application of Hospice Care

Overview

In recent years, the use of Virtual Reality devices or somatosensory technology in various fields of teaching or sports has gradually matured. It is even possible to see that libraries or museums use virtual reality to promote reading or art. The trend of cross-border application has been born. The use of horticultural therapy in the current service of dementia or hospice patients is more common than in the past. The research team of the Taiwan Normal University has developed the first 3D Virtual Reality horticultural therapy course in Taiwan. Therefore, this study attempts to use natural virtual reality as an auxiliary care method to see if it can relieve the pain of hospitalized patients in the hospice ward, or relieve the stress of the caregiver (such as the patient's family or ward medical staff)! The purpose of the study is: 1. Use natural virtual reality as an auxiliary care mode to relieve the painful condition of inpatients in the hospice ward. 2. Use natural virtual reality to relieve the psychological pressure of caregivers (family, medical colleagues). The subjects of the study were: inpatients in the hospice ward of the hospital, caregivers of inpatients in the hospice ward, and medical staff of the hospice team. Research methods: 1. Use virtual reality head-mounted equipment to watch the natural landscape for 10 minutes each time. The patient and caregiver watched three times a week during hospitalization. The medical staff watched eight times a day on weekdays. 2. Questionnaire: The patient used the pain scale and the Distress Thermometer (DT) scale as the pre-test questionnaire. The caregiver and the medical staff use the DT scale and the "Profile of Mood States (POMS)" as the pre-test questionnaire. Expected results: The patient is expected to reduce the pain and enhance the quality of life by viewing the virtual natural landscape. It is expected that caregivers and medical colleagues can relieve stress and enhance the quality of life by watching virtual natural landscapes.