Pardini, Genovese, Salvadori, Dianti, Lamon, Calcagno, Mezzanotte, Anselmi, Mayora. Virtual Reality in Reminiscence Therapy for Parkinson’s Disease (RETURN-VR): A Co-Design Approach.

Background and Objectives: The application of Virtual Reality (VR) in Reminiscence Therapy (RT) is gaining increasing attention, particularly through the development of individualized virtual environments tailored to users' life histories. A critical focus of current research is the exploration of the feasibility and efficacy of VR-based telerehabilitation interventions (e.g., Mao et al., 2024). The general aim of our research project is to assess the acceptability and feasibility of a VR-based RT intervention both immediately and at 3-6 months post-intervention. The first phase of the study focuses on developing a VR application specifically designed for individuals with Parkinson's disease. As an essential first step, we will engage stakeholders with expertise in mental health care—neuropsychologists and clinical psychologists—who specialize in managing the behavioral and cognitive symptoms of patients with Parkinson’s disease. The primary aim is to evaluate whether customized VR scenarios could be useful for improving the administration of RT. Structured feedback from these stakeholders, gathered through hands-on interaction with the VR application, will guide an iterative co-design process to refine the platform before patient trials. Methodology: This investigation adopts a participatory research methodology, structured into the following phases: i) Identification of at least 5 stakeholders; ii) Stakeholder Engagement – Initial Meetings: Conduct introductory meetings to present the research objectives. Establish trust and open communication with stakeholders to encourage active participation; iii) Exposure to the VR Equipment and Focus Group Discussions: Evaluate participants' experiences by identifying the feasibility, benefits, and challenges associated with integrating VR technologies into standard RT interventions; iv) Iterative Feedback Loop and Synthesis of Findings: Analyze insights gathered from focus group discussions. Share preliminary findings with stakeholders to solicit further feedback and refine the study’s approach. Conduct a final session to address emerging concerns, integrate additional insights, and validate findings; v) Participatory Data Analysis and Validation: Actively involve stakeholders in analyzing the collected data to ensure the interpretations reflect real-world experiences and perspectives. Validate findings by corroborating them with stakeholder input, ensuring alignment with their practical experiences. Results: Preliminary results will be shared at the congress. Discussion: By fostering collaboration, iterative feedback, and user-centered design, this study aims to facilitate the seamless and effective adoption of digital innovations in socio-healthcare contexts. The expected outcome is a tailored VR solution to be tested in the following phases of the research project. This phase will investigate the feasibility and preliminary clinical outcomes of administering the procedure in a remote rehabilitation setting with individuals with Parkinson’s disease, supported by clinical psychologists and their caregivers. Funding: The current study was funded by European Union- Next Generation EU - Mission 4 -Component 2, “A multiscale integrated approach to the study of the nervous system in health and disease” (MNESYS), CUP: D93C22000930002. References: - Mao Q, Zhao Z, Yu L, Zhao Y, Wang H. The Effects of Virtual Reality–Based Reminiscence Therapies for Older Adults With Cognitive Impairment: Systematic Review. J Med Internet Res 2024;26:e53348 doi: 10.2196/53348