“Digital Strolling” for alleviating depression in mobility-impaired individuals
Advancements in technology have provided inventive solutions with health and rehabilitation programmes for mobility impaired individuals addressing concerns related to depression and quality of life. Dr Yan LI, Assistant Professor (Presidential Young Scholar) of the School of Nursing at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has been awarded the Healthy Longevity Catalyst Awards (Hong Kong) 2024 for the project “The Impact of ‘Digital Strolling’ on Depression and Quality of Life of People with Severe Mobility Impairment.”
According to the World Health Organization’s 2023 figures, approximately 16% of individuals with severe mobility impairment (SMI) globally and 7.1% in Hong Kong often faces health issues like marginalisation. Research indicates that more than 50% of individuals with SMI experience symptoms of depression or anxiety.
Digital strolling refers to the use of virtual reality technology to simulate the experience of walking or moving around in a digital context, representing a novel and promising intervention for the SMI population. Dr LI’s study aims to develop and test the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of a digital strolling intervention among people with SMI, with a focus on addressing problems related to depression, chronic pain, and sleep quality.
Participants use head-mounted displays (HMDs), wireless handheld controllers, and laptops to engage in a virtual environment. The HMD connects to a laptop, allowing users to see simulated arms and legs, while the handheld controller tracks arm movements and positions in three dimensions. This data is then converted into virtual leg movements, enabling participants with SMI to “walk” in a three-dimensional space.
Dr. Li is a registered nurse with over 10 years of experience and is an active nurse researcher. Her research interests include digital psychosocial health, mental health among individuals with physical disabilities, and the integration of artificial intelligence ( in educational innovations.
Dr Li said, “Digital strolling is highly transformative as it can be conducted easily and interestingly, allowing patients to enjoy themselves during treatment. Additionally, this controller-based approach allows individuals with mobility challenges to engage in an experience that simulates walking, often set against natural backdrops like forests. This experience can help alleviate mental symptoms and positively impact other conditions such as sleep quality, and thus overall quality of life.”
The research findings will lay the foundation for subsequent large-scale trials and provide recommendations for medical staff and rehabilitation experts to develop innovative and comprehensive community healthcare programs for people with SMI.
The Research Grants Council (RGC) has collaborated with the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) of the United States for the Healthy Longevity Catalyst Awards (Hong Kong) (HLCA (HK)) since 2022, aiming to call for bold and innovative ideas from any discipline that has the potential to extend the human healthspan.
