The Influence of Virtual Reality Glasses Use on the Quality of Life of Older Adults: Protocol for a Prospective, Longitudinal Quasi-Experimental Study.

Background: Older adults are a rapidly growing demographic and often face social isolation and limited access to outdoor activities due to mobility issues, health conditions, and environmental barriers. These limitations can negatively impact their well-being, leading to reduced physical activity, cognitive decline, and emotional distress. Virtual reality (VR) technology offers a promising solution to bridge this gap by enabling access to immersive virtual environments, which may enhance the quality of life for residents in nursing homes. Objective: The aim of this study is to assess whether the use of VR glasses in nursing homes improves the quality of life of older adults by reducing the challenges they face in participating in recreational activities outside their care facilities. Methods: This study will adopt a prospective, longitudinal quasi-experimental design conducted in nursing homes within a basic health area of Catalonia, Spain. The intervention period will span 1 year. Participants will use VR glasses to interact with virtual environments, and their quality of life will be measured using the Rivas-Borda Quality of Life Scale, based on other validated scales. Results: Outcomes will focus on variations in quality-of-life scores before and after the intervention, as determined by the Rivas-Borda Scale. Statistical analysis will include detailed metrics such as sample size, confidence intervals, and P values to evaluate the intervention's effectiveness. Conclusions: This research seeks to confirm that VR technology can be a valuable tool for enhancing the quality of life in older adults residing in nursing homes, addressing issues like social isolation and limited access to outdoor activities in an innovative and engaging way.