Incorporating Patient Feedback for Developing a Social Virtual Reality Platform for Older Adult Trauma Patients in Hospitals: Initial Phase of a Usability, Acceptability, and Feasibility Pilot Study - Summary - MDSpire

Incorporating Patient Feedback for Developing a Social Virtual Reality Platform for Older Adult Trauma Patients in Hospitals: Initial Phase of a Usability, Acceptability, and Feasibility Pilot Study

  • By

  • S Isabelle McLeod Daphnis

  • Reece Simpson

  • Max Accurso

  • Ella Blicker

  • Mariel Emrich

  • Olivia Baryluk

  • Chun Yun (Amy) Hsu

  • Robert J Winchell

  • Sara Czaja

  • M Carrington Reid

  • JoAnn Difede

  • Andrea Stevenson Won

  • March 1, 2026

  • 0 min

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Objective:

To develop a social virtual reality (SVR) environment to facilitate social connection among older adult trauma patients, using patient feedback to refine the system and improve usability.

Key Findings:
  • Older adults represent a significant portion of trauma admissions, often experiencing pain and social isolation, which can hinder recovery.
  • Social support is crucial for pain management and recovery in older adults, highlighting the need for interventions like SVR.
  • SVR has the potential to reduce feelings of loneliness and enhance social connections, which may improve overall well-being.
Interpretation:

The study highlights the importance of addressing both physical and social needs in older adult trauma patients, suggesting that SVR could be an effective tool for improving patient outcomes and setting the stage for further investigation in Phase 2.

Limitations:
  • Phase 1 did not test feasibility, acceptability, or usability but focused solely on gathering feedback.
  • The study involved only individual experiences in VR, without actual social interactions, limiting the assessment of SVR's full potential.
Conclusion:

The initial phase of the study indicates that SVR could be a promising approach to enhance social connections and manage pain in older adult trauma patients, warranting further investigation in Phase 2.

Original Source(s)

Incorporating Patient Feedback for Developing a Social Virtual Reality Platform for Older Adult Trauma Patients in Hospitals: Initial Phase of a Usability, Acceptability, and Feasibility Pilot Study

  • by S Isabelle McLeod Daphnis, Reece Simpson, Max Accurso, Ella Blicker, Mariel Emrich, Olivia Baryluk, Chun Yun (Amy) Hsu, Robert J Winchell, Sara Czaja, M Carrington Reid, JoAnn Difede, Andrea Stevenson Won

  • March 1, 2026

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