ERMES

The ERMES Project was a successful research and innovation initiative aimed at improving the quality of life of elderly residents in long-term care facilities. Conceived in the post-pandemic period, the project provided a concrete response to the psychological effects of isolation and loneliness experienced by this particularly vulnerable segment of the population.

Through the use of Virtual Reality (VR), ERMES created immersive and interactive environments where elderly participants could engage in guided experiences of Mindfulness, Art Therapy, and shared recreational activities. Using VR headsets and bio/neurofeedback sensors, it was possible to monitor and enhance participants’ psychophysical well-being while also offering new ways to socialize, both with fellow residents and with family members remotely.

The experimentation, carried out at RSSA San Giorgio in Gagliano del Capo (Lecce, Italy), was the result of a collaboration between the AVR Lab of the University of Salento and the innovative startup XRTech srl, supported by a multidisciplinary team of psychologists, engineers, and healthcare professionals.

The results showed a significant improvement in participants’ emotional well-being, motivation, and social engagement, as well as in the interpersonal skills of the care staff. ERMES thus established itself as a virtuous model of digital and human-centered healthcare, demonstrating how immersive technologies can foster inclusion, human connection, and mental health within residential care environments.

The project’s successful completion now serves as a reference point for future applications of Virtual Reality in social and healthcare settings, confirming the potential to integrate technological innovation with person-centered care in an ethical, participatory, and sustainable way.