Our hospital has established a dynamic emotional monitoring mechanism by integrating face recognition technology with the Neuropsychiatric Inventory (NPI) system, capable of real-time analysis of elderly patients' emotional changes to tailor appropriate VR/AR experiences. The system utilizes multiple daily recognitions combined with Artificial Intelligence (AI) algorithms to analyze physiological data such as body temperature and emotions, thereby providing dynamically adjusted interactive content. The key feature of this technology is its ability to detect signs of anxiety or discomfort in real-time and quickly alter the VR/AR environment to effectively alleviate negative emotions and enhance comfort.
Cross-disciplinary collaboration is also a significant driving force behind this solution. Our hospital collaborates with multiple professional teams from medicine, psychology, and exercise science to integrate VR/AR technology with physical training, psychological counseling, and other activities, creating a more comprehensive physical and mental adjustment experience. Since May 2024, we have continuously optimized the recognition model, achieving significant improvements in accuracy and stability, ensuring the system can respond more sensitively to the individual needs of elderly patients.
Our hospital's VR/AR assisted therapy has gradually expanded its application scope, with the number of service users increasing year by year. A total of 650 individuals participated in 2022, increasing to 958 in 2023, and is expected to reach 981 in 2024. Since August 2024, the system has been further integrated with elderly physical exercise programs. Through scientifically-based training and immersive experiences, the average NPI scores show a downward trend, indicating significant emotional management effects.
From actual feedback data, 85% of elderly patients reported that VR/AR experiences effectively diverted their attention, reduced pain sensation and anxiety, thereby improving daily comfort; 62% felt that after continuous participation in VR/AR interaction, their overall mood significantly improved, and their physical and mental health status was enhanced. Furthermore, by using non-pharmacological methods for pain management, our hospital observed a decrease of approximately 18% in the frequency of using sedative medications compared to before, which not only reduced the risks of drug-related side effects but also further enhanced medical safety.
Kaohsiung Veterans General Hospital continues to explore new directions in smart healthcare, combining VR/AR technology with physiological data analysis to provide more precise and personalized emotional and pain management services. In the future, we will further expand application areas, deepen cross-disciplinary collaboration, drive smart care development with technological innovation, create a more humanized and age-friendly medical environment, and provide more comprehensive support for the health and well-being of the elderly.