Immersive Virtual Tasks With Motor and Cognitive Components: A Feasibility Study With Young and Older Adults

OBJECTIVE To analyze the feasibility, safety, and acceptability of immersive virtual tasks. METHODS The authors recruited 11 young adults and 10 older adults. The participants performed three virtual reaching tasks while walking on a virtual path. The descriptive analysis and comparison between participants were performed using the Mann-Whitney U test and chi-square test for nonparametric and nominal variables, respectively. The authors also used analysis of variance for a between-groups comparison for normal variables. RESULTS Twenty percent of older adults and 81.8% of young adults completed all three tasks (chi-square test; p = .005). Both groups reported minor symptoms, with no significant differences. The older adults were more motivated to practice the tasks (Mann-Whitney U test; p = .015) and would be more likely to suggest them to others (chi-square test; p = .034). CONCLUSION All three tasks were feasible for young adults. All participants, except for one, had cybersickness. The symptoms were mostly mild and subsided once the interaction was complete.