VOA科学技术2024--Study Finds Majority of Retired People Enjoy VR

Study Finds Majority of Retired¹ People Enjoy VR

　　A new study found that a majority of retired people who experienced virtual² reality (VR) said they liked using the technology.

　　The study is part of an effort that aims to find ways older adults, known as seniors, can use VR systems. Earlier research has shown the technology can improve emotional health and reduce loneliness in some individuals. It might also help dementia patients better deal with their condition.

　　During the study, VR systems were introduced in 17 different retirement⁴ communities across the United States. A total of 245 people – between the ages of 65 and 103 – took part in the experiment.

　　The seniors chose from different VR environments offering digital experiences that lasted several minutes. They wore headsets providing a full 360-degrees of sights and sounds to recreate realistic digital environments.

　　Examples of the digital experiences included parachuting, riding in vehicles, watching music performances, playing with animals, or visiting famous places.

　　The experiments were led by researchers at Stanford University in northern California. The scientists worked on the project with a Texas-based company called Mynd Immersive, which designs VR products for aging people.

　　The researchers said nearly 80 percent of those taking part in the experiment reported that their emotional state had improved after the VR experience. Nearly 60 percent of the seniors said the VR system also helped them feel less isolated⁶ socially.

　　The team recently published the study results in the publication Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking.

　　The study also collected information from caregivers of people involved in the study. Nearly 75 percent of caregivers said the moods of the seniors improved after using VR. And more than 80 percent of test subjects and 95 percent of caregivers said talking about the VR experience improved relationships with others.

　　Ryan Moore is a doctoral candidate at Stanford University who led the research. He told The Associated Press that for most of the seniors involved, it was their first time using VR. "They enjoyed it," Moore said. He added, "They were likely to recommend it to others, and they looked forward to doing it again."

　　Farrell Patrick is a 91-year-old retired Army officer who took part in the VR experiment. He used to teach computer science at the United States Military Academy at West Point and two private universities as well. Patrick now lives in a retirement community in Fort³ Lauderdale, Florida.

　　Patrick experienced the VR flight of a Navy fighter pilot along the coast of Florida. "Oh my God, that's beautiful," he told the AP while wearing the VR headset.

　　Terry Colli is a former public relations director at the Canadian Embassy⁷ in Washington, D.C. The 76-year-old told the AP of his 2022 VR experience, "It brought back memories of my travels and...brought back memories of my experience growing up on a farm."

　　Anne Selby is a 79-year-old retired counselor⁸ and artist. She said her VR experience "stimulated¹⁰" every area of her brain as well as all the senses. "I particularly enjoyed the ones dealing¹¹ with pets because I have a cat and I've had pets most of my life," Selby said.

　　The Florida community where Farrell Patrick lives, John Knox Village, has carried out VR experiments with seniors suffering from Alzheimer's and other forms of dementia. The researchers said the technology helped the individuals remember things from their past that some wanted to share with their caregivers.

　　Hana Salem, a worker at John Knox, told the AP, "It is like they come back to life when they tell their story." She added that some dementia patients who normally do not speak a lot, sometimes "perk¹² up" after going through a VR experience.

　　"They'll start laughing and saying, ‘Ooh, I'm going to catch the butterflies,'" Salem explained. The catching¹³ of butterflies is part of a game Mynd Immersive developed to help seniors improve their movements and flexibility¹⁴ as they stand and reach for objects.

　　Words in This Story

　　virtual reality (VR) – n. digital environments that can be entered and controlled by humans

　　isolate⁵ – v. to separate someone or something from other people or things

　　mood – n. the way someone feels at a particular time

　　recommend – v. suggest something for a particular purpose

　　counselor – n. someone whose job it is to listen to people and give them advice about their problems

　　stimulate⁹ – v. to make something happen or develop more

　　perk up – v. to start to feel happy about something

　　flexible – adj. able to easily move and bend body parts

1 retired   

adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的

参考例句：

• The old man retired to the country for rest.这位老人下乡休息去了。
• Many retired people take up gardening as a hobby.许多退休的人都以从事园艺为嗜好。

2 virtual   

adj.实质上的，事实上的，实际上的

参考例句：

• This reply is a virtual acceptance of our offer.这一回答实质上是接受了我们的建议。
• At that time the East India Company was the virtual ruler of Bengal.那时东印度公司是孟加拉的实际统治者。

3 fort   

n.要塞，堡垒，碉堡

参考例句：

• The fort can not be defended against an air attack.这座要塞遭到空袭时无法防御。
• No one can get into the fort without a pass.没有通行证，任何人不得进入要塞。

4 retirement   

n.退休，退职

参考例句：

• She wanted to enjoy her retirement without being beset by financial worries.她想享受退休生活而不必为金钱担忧。
• I have to put everything away for my retirement.我必须把一切都积蓄起来以便退休后用。

5 isolate   

vt.使孤立，隔离

参考例句：

• Do not isolate yourself from others.不要把自己孤立起来。
• We should never isolate ourselves from the masses.我们永远不能脱离群众。

6 isolated   

adj.与世隔绝的

参考例句：

• His bad behaviour was just an isolated incident. 他的不良行为只是个别事件。
• Patients with the disease should be isolated. 这种病的患者应予以隔离。

7 embassy   

n.大使馆，大使及其随员

参考例句：

• Large crowd demonstrated outside the British Embassy.很多群众在英国大使馆外面示威。
• He's a U.S. diplomat assigned to the embassy in London.他是美国驻伦敦大使馆的一名外交官。

8 counselor   

n.顾问，法律顾问

参考例句：

• The counselor gave us some disinterested advice.顾问给了我们一些无私的忠告。
• Chinese commercial counselor's office in foreign countries.中国驻国外商务参赞处。

9 stimulate   

vt.刺激，使兴奋；激励，使…振奋

参考例句：

• Your encouragement will stimulate me to further efforts.你的鼓励会激发我进一步努力。
• Success will stimulate the people for fresh efforts.成功能鼓舞人们去作新的努力。

10 stimulated   

a.刺激的

参考例句：

• The exhibition has stimulated interest in her work. 展览增进了人们对她作品的兴趣。
• The award has stimulated her into working still harder. 奖金促使她更加努力地工作。

11 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。

12 perk   

n.额外津贴；赏钱；小费；

参考例句：

• His perks include a car provided by the firm.他的额外津贴包括公司提供的一辆汽车。
• And the money is,of course,a perk.当然钱是额外津贴。

13 catching   

adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住

参考例句：

• There are those who think eczema is catching.有人就是认为湿疹会传染。
• Enthusiasm is very catching.热情非常富有感染力。

14 flexibility   

n.柔韧性，弹性，（光的）折射性，灵活性

参考例句：

• Her great strength lies in her flexibility.她的优势在于她灵活变通。
• The flexibility of a man's muscles will lessen as he becomes old.人老了肌肉的柔韧性将降低。