Objective:

To assess the feasibility and acceptability of a virtual reality-based nature intervention in long-term care facilities and explore psychosocial effects ahead of a future randomised controlled trial.

Approach:

• Study Design: Two-centre feasibility study using a mixed-methods design, focusing on qualitative evaluation.
• Participants: Ten residents and ten nursing staff members from two long-term care facilities.
• Intervention: Participants complete twelve 15-minute virtual reality sessions using a 360° forest video over four weeks.
• Assessment: Feasibility assessed through semi-structured interviews; secondary outcomes analyzed using quantitative descriptive analysis.

Key Findings:

• The study aims to provide insights into the feasibility of implementing virtual reality-based nature interventions in long-term care.
• The intervention addresses barriers and facilitators for residents and nursing staff.
• The feasibility framework may serve as a template for international adaptation of virtual nature interventions.

Interpretation:

Limitations:

• The study is limited to two centers and a small sample size.
• Results may not be generalizable to all long-term care facilities.

Conclusion:

The feasibility study will inform a full-scale effectiveness trial and provide valuable insights into the implementation of VR interventions in long-term care.

Sources:

• Clinical Trial Registration