Creating Virtual Reality Based Interventions for Older Adults Impacted by Substance Misuse: Safety and Design Considerations

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.

Keywords:

• Ethics
• older adults
• safety
• substance abuse
• virtual reality