University of Twente Student Theses
Walk in Nature: exploring the potential of Virtual Reality as exercise therapy in the management of axial Spondyloartritis: a mixed methods approach
Weenink, M.J. (2024) Walk in Nature: exploring the potential of Virtual Reality as exercise therapy in the management of axial Spondyloartritis: a mixed methods approach.
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| Abstract: | Axial Spondyloarthritis (axSpA) is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects between 0.1 and 1.4% people globally and has profound impact on patients’ quality of life. While guidelines emphasize the importance of physical exercise to alleviate symptoms and maintain mobility, studies report low adherence to exercise treatments within the axSpA population. The Walk in Nature program may potentially increase these adherence rates. It is a VR system in which users are submerged into a 3D forest environment, complemented with three exercises. The study applied a mixed-methods approach and included axSpA patients and physiotherapists. 62 axSpA patients completed an online survey, designed to capture their attitudes towards VR as exercise therapy using the constructs of the UTAUT model. Additionally, physiotherapists were interviewed on the feasibility of using the Walk in Nature program in the physiotherapy practice. Results indicate that the Walk in Nature program can be of added value as exercise therapy for axSpA patients. However, changes are necessary to further improve its fit with both end-users. The program’s complexity should be lowered to facilitate use in the physiotherapy practice, while incorporating adjustable difficulty levels, coaching elements, and monitoring features may help to facilitate use at home |
| Item Type: | Essay (Master) |
| Faculty: | TNW: Science and Technology |
| Subject: | 44 medicine, 50 technical science in general, 77 psychology |
| Programme: | Health Sciences MSc (66851) |
| Link to this item: | https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/99782 |
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