Abstract

Virtual reality (VR) is an emerging evidence-based intervention approach that has been successfully used to address substance use disorders (SUDs) and manage chronic pain in young and middle age adults. However, the safe and effective use of VR-based interventions with older adults living with SUDs has not been established. This article outlines considerations for researchers wishing to develop and test VR-based intervention approaches for older adults impacted by substance misuse. An overview of older adult substance misuse and treatment needs will be provided, followed by a review of ethics and general safety related considerations for using VR based intervention approaches with an older adult population.

摘要

虚拟现实 (VR) 是一种新兴的循证干预方法，已成功用于解决物质使用障碍 (SUD) 和管理中青年人的慢性疼痛。然而，尚未确定对患有 SUD 的老年人安全有效地使用基于 VR 的干预措施。本文概述了希望为受药物滥用影响的老年人开发和测试基于 VR 的干预方法的研究人员的注意事项。将提供老年人物质滥用和治疗需求的概述，然后审查对老年人使用基于 VR 的干预方法的伦理和一般安全相关考虑因素。