Fully Immersive Virtual Reality Using 360° Videos to Manage Well-Being in Older Adults: A Scoping Review

Objective: The development of negative behavioral and psychosocial factors (depression, anxiety, apathy, etc) is associated with poor well-being, which can contribute to health issues in ageing, especially in the context of COVID-19. Despite its relative novelty, fully immersive virtual reality (VR) interventions through 360 immersive videos are becoming more accessible and flexible and constitute an emerging method to potentially enhance well-being. The aim of this scoping review is to assess the effectiveness of 360 interventions on well-being in older adults with or without cognitive impairment, as well as cybersickness and attitudes toward this technology. Design: Scoping review. Setting and Participants: Older adults with or without cognitive impairment. Methods: The PRISMA-SR guideline was followed. Four databases were used, and we selected articles published until April 2022. We have analyzed the effect of 360° videos on the well-being of older adults with respect to the study design, the population, the contents, the duration of intervention, and the outcomes. Results: A total of 2262 articles were screened, of which 10 articles were finally included in this review. Most of them are pilot studies and used mixed methods including scales and interviews. The material and content of VR are diversified. Many behavioral and psychological outcomes were assessed, including anxiety, apathy, loneliness, depression, social engagement, quality of life, and emotions. The results were positive or mixed, according to the outcomes. We recorded few adverse events, and the interviews show contrasting results concerning the participants’ feelings (ie, degree of immersion, familiarity with technology, and VR content). Conclusions and Implications: The use of VR 360° videos seems feasible in community-dwelling older adults or residential aged care facilities, as they are safe and provide enjoyment. It constitutes an emerging and promising therapeutic tool to manage psychosocial disorders. This review provides key considerations for the design and implementation of interventions using VR 360° video in clinical practice

E-Tourism as a tool for socio-economic development

The nature of the contribution of tourism to local socio-economic development is subject to numerous debates, both by practitioners and academics. UNWTO declared 2017 the Year of Sustainable Tourism for Development, endorsing de facto the travel industry as one of the levers for socio-economic development. However, what is often missing within the general narrative about tourism for development is the crucial and central role of digital technology. Therefore, this chapter highlights the importance of digital technologies and, particularly, the role of e-tourism in emerging markets. It proposes a bottom-up vision of the role of information and communications technologies in travel as one of the key elements for rural community-based innovation and diversification toward active tourism delivery