EFFECT OF FACE-TO-FACE AND VIRTUAL REALITY-BASED SALUTOGENESIS NURSING CARE IN PATIENTS WITH DEMENTIA

DETAILED DESCRIPTIONThis study is a randomized controlled experimental trial designed to evaluate the effectsof nursing care based on the Salutogenesis Model on sense of coherence and quality oflife in individuals living with mild to moderate dementia. The study compares theeffectiveness of the same nursing care delivered through two differentmethods‐face‐to‐face and via virtual reality (VR) headsets‐against usual care.The Salutogenesis Model focuses on individuals' capacity to understand their lifesituations, manage daily challenges, and find meaning in their experiences. The centralconcept of the model is sense of coherence, which consists of three components:comprehensibility, manageability, and meaningfulness. This study applies theSalutogenesis Model as a holistic nursing framework to support people living withdementia by strengthening these components despite cognitive decline.Study Design and Setting The study will be conducted in Niğde Bor district, Türkiye, andcoordinated through Bor State Hospital. All assessments and interventions will be carriedout in participants' home environments to increase comfort, reduce barriers toparticipation, and reflect real‐life conditions.Participants with mild to moderate dementia will be randomly assigned to one of threegroups:Intervention Group 1 (MG1): Receives face‐to‐face nursing care based on the SalutogenesisModel Intervention Group 2 (MG2): Receives the same nursing care supported by virtualreality headsets Control Group: Receives usual care without additional structured nursingintervention Randomization will be performed using a computer‐based simple randomizationmethod by an independent researcher to minimize allocation bias.Intervention Procedures Both intervention groups will receive an eight‐week nursing careprogram based on the Salutogenesis Model. Sessions will be conducted once per week andwill last approximately 40‐60 minutes.The content of the nursing care program is identical for both intervention groups and isstructured to support:Meaningfulness: through life review, reminiscence activities, meaningful memories, music,and personalized activities Comprehensibility: through structured routines, clearexplanations, environmental organization, and supportive communication Manageability:through problem‐solving strategies, daily activity planning, medication routines, andstrengthening personal and social resourcesIn the VR‐supported group, selected components of the intervention (such as reminiscenceactivities, meaningful environments, music, and visual stimuli) will be delivered usingVR headsets, allowing participants to experience these elements in an immersive digitalenvironment. The face‐to‐face group will receive the same content using traditional,in‐person methods without VR.Data Collection and Follow‐UpOutcome measures will be collected at three time points:Baseline assessment (before intervention) Post‐intervention assessment (after theeight‐week nursing care program) Follow‐up assessment approximately three months afterthe intervention ends These follow‐up assessments are designed to evaluate bothshort‐term effects and the sustainability of the intervention outcomes over time.Primary outcomes include changes in sense of coherence (comprehensibility, manageability,and meaningfulness) and quality of life. Data will be collected using validatedassessment tools administered through face‐to‐face interviews.Significance By comparing face‐to‐face and VR‐supported delivery of SalutogenesisModel‐based nursing care, this study aims to provide evidence on whether digital healthtechnologies such as virtual reality can be used as effective and supportive tools indementia nursing care. The findings are expected to contribute to the development ofholistic, innovative, and sustainable nursing interventions that enhance quality of lifeand sense of coherence in people living with dementia.