A recent study suggests that immersive virtual reality (VR) could significantly benefit individuals with intellectual disabilities, allowing them to acquire practical life skills more swiftly and independently, without needing caregiver assistance.
Researchers from Australia examined how effective immersive VR headsets were compared to traditional non-immersive virtual environments for teaching 36 adults with intellectual disabilities to sort general waste from recyclables, garden waste, and food scraps.
This research, conducted by teams from the University of South Australia and UNSW Sydney, included 12 virtual training sessions. Those using immersive VR headsets performed notably better in practical tasks than participants who trained on tablet devices.
The results of this study have been shared in the Journal of Intellectual Disability Research.
Associate Professor Tobias Loetscher from UniSA highlights that individuals with intellectual disabilities often require more time to understand and visualize concepts, and that VR headsets provide them with immersive experiences that facilitate hands-on learning.
“Studies indicate that experiential learning, or learning through doing, proves to be more effective for this demographic than passive learning approaches,” explains Assoc Prof Loetscher.
“In our research, those who trained using VR showed immediate improvements in waste sorting that lasted up to a week afterward, unlike those who utilized non-immersive methods.”
Dr. Stefan Michalski, a Research Fellow at UNSW, notes that immersive VR enables individuals to safely and repeatedly engage in activities in a controlled setting.
“People with intellectual disabilities often have limited opportunities for hands-on learning due to concerns about safety and a shortage of staff training,” says Dr. Michalski.
“Immersive VR replicates real-life scenarios, providing the feeling of being in an environment without the hazards that might come with real-world activities.”
Individuals with intellectual disabilities frequently struggle with fundamental life skills such as cooking, bathing, and cleaning, usually requiring help from caregivers.
“These challenges hinder their ability to live independently and improve their quality of life, making it essential to discover effective strategies for acquiring these life skills,” remarks Andrew Franze, the study’s lead author and an honors student at UniSA.
The issue of cybersickness was considered a potential concern when using 3D headsets; however, only one participant experienced mild dizziness, which quickly passed.
Despite initial hesitation, most subjects found the VR technology enjoyable, even during their first experience with head-mounted displays.
While this study focused on waste management, the researchers believe immersive VR could be utilized for teaching various essential skills, including cooking, kitchen safety, personal hygiene, public transport navigation, and social interactions.
“There is growing evidence that VR has advantages, but we need to bridge the divide between research and practical application so more individuals can take advantage of this technology,” states Dr. Michalski.
“Our ongoing efforts aim to address healthcare needs for those with intellectual disabilities by using VR to prepare them for medical appointments, helping to alleviate their anxieties about visiting doctors.”
