Project description
Using VR to enhance the well-being of older adults
As people age, they often face cognitive and physical decline. A key factor is how individuals perceive their own ageing process. Virtual reality (VR) has the potential to play a transformative role in enhancing the well-being of older adults by reshaping their attitudes. In this context, the ERC-funded VERTEX project uses VR to immerse older adults in experiences from their youth, such as living in a 1970s home or attending iconic events like famous concerts. The project aims to evaluate the impact of these experiences on ageing, providing evidence of the benefits VR can have on cognitive and physical health. VERTEX will initially focus on experimental studies and eventually expand to community centres and home use.
Objective
VERTEX is a proof of concept project that aims to use virtual reality (VR) to improve the well-being of older adults. The project is based on the idea that psychological factors play a key role in age-related deterioration and that older adults' attitudes towards aging may be a significant predictor of physical and cognitive frailty. Participants will experience scenarios and events from their youth, such as being in a 1970s living room. They will be transported to memorable historical events from the time of their youth, such as famous concerts. The project aims to evaluate the effects of this experience on aging and provide evidence for the benefits of such an intervention, with the goal of supporting a spin-off. The project will involve several stages: a further implementation of the VR application continuing from results of an experimental study in the associated Advanced Grant MoTIVE, the carrying out of a further experimental study based on the new application, the rollout of the application to community centres providing opportunities for many people to experience this in such institutional settings, and the rollout to individuals to use in their homes on a loan basis. Focus groups with stake holders such as community centre managers will be carried out to assess the potential of the introduction of the VERTEX system as part of what can be offered to clientele. The business opportunity and regulatory framework will be investigated. All this information will be used to create a business plan that will make the case for investment to take the project forward in a spin-off to make VERTEX available on a large scale.
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.1.1 - European Research Council (ERC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-ERC-POC - HORIZON ERC Proof of Concept Grants
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) ERC-2023-POC
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
08007 BARCELONA
Spain
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.