Elderly Residents of Jungnang-gu Prevent Dementia Through Virtual Reality (VR Content)

Jungnang-gu Dementia Safety Center Selected for Seoul City VR Program Support Project for Cognitive Training... VR Content Encourages Eye and Hand Coordination to Improve Cognitive and Physical Abilities... Recruiting 40 Mild Dementia Patients, Program Starts March Next Year

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Jungnang-gu (Mayor Ryu Kyung-gi) has been selected for the VR (Virtual Reality) program support project for cognitive function training hosted by Seoul City.

Going forward, the Jungnang-gu Dementia Safety Center will use virtual reality content to help prevent dementia among the elderly.

The virtual reality program collects biometric signals from participants to analyze cognitive functions such as attention, memory, and concentration, providing customized content. It enables systematic and effective training, which can help prevent the progression of dementia. Additionally, experiencing a realistic virtual world on the computer stimulates curiosity and enjoyment, increasing engagement.

The district expects that combining this with existing programs such as reality recognition training, physical activities, and cognitive stimulation activities will create synergy in training effects, significantly improving the cognitive functions of the elderly.

First, a dedicated therapist will be assigned to systematically manage and operate the program, and group-type VR equipment will be used to expand beneficiaries through multi-person participation. Forty patients with mild dementia will be recruited in February, and the program will begin in March.

The program consists of five types of cognitive game content requiring concentration, memory, language skills, reaction speed, calculation ability, and judgment, along with one type of cognitive function screening, conducted for 20 minutes daily over 10 weeks. For example, in the mole game, participants develop selective attention by deciding what to focus on and what to ignore.

Ryu Kyung-gi, Mayor of Jungnang-gu, said, “Being selected for this project is meaningful as it allows us to help prevent dementia among local residents through advanced VR technology. We will continue to do our best to lead dementia prevention through various technology-integrated programs.”

The Jungnang-gu Dementia Safety Center operates a Memory Keeper class that manages diet, exercise, and depression to prevent dementia among residents. For inquiries, contact the Health Promotion Division of Jungnang-gu Public Health Center.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.