Virtual Reality-Based Training Has Potential to Improve Dementia Knowledge, Attitudes, and Sense of Competence of Physical Therapists and Occupational Therapists

Abstract

Aim: (i) Evaluate the perceived effect of the Enabling EDIE Acute workshop on dementia knowledge, attitudes toward dementia, and sense of competence of physical therapists, occupational therapists, allied health assistants, and physical therapy students. (ii) Determine if a greater perceived effect was observed within subgroups of the study population. Methods: A pretest–posttest study with a three-month follow-up was conducted with participants who attended a virtual reality-based Enabling EDIE Acute workshop. Results: Participants (n = 96) predominately had no previous dementia training, were physical therapists (45%), female (70%), and had a mean age of 32.5 (SD 9.7) years. Total scores for dementia knowledge, attitudes, and sense of competence improved immediately post workshop and/or at the three-month follow-up. Conclusion: Virtual reality-based training, such as the Enabling EDIE Acute workshop, appears to be an effective component of dementia education for allied health professionals. Further research is needed to confirm, and expand on, these findings. ANZCTR reference number: ACTRN12619001095156.