Another Life. When Virtual Reality Cares for Loneliness
FBK Aula Piccola
Fondazione Bruno Kessler - Polo delle Scienze Umane e sociali
Aula Piccola
FBK Aula Piccola
Fondazione Bruno Kessler - Polo delle Scienze Umane e sociali
Aula Piccola
A recent study conducted at the University of Verona and the University of Trieste explored the use of immersive virtual reality for palliative purposes, namely the relief of physical, psychological, and emotional symptoms. Participants reported high usability and satisfaction. The greatest improvements were observed in fatigue, drowsiness, appetite, depression, and anxiety. Overall well-being increased slightly. These findings may also be interpreted considering the condition of loneliness that frequently accompanies patients in palliative care, suggesting that the immersive experience may indirectly help mitigate some of its emotional correlates. No adverse effects were reported. Most patients expressed willingness to repeat the experience and considered it a meaningful addition to palliative care services. Immersive virtual reality appears to be a feasible, safe, and well-accepted intervention in palliative care, showing preliminary benefits for physical and psychological symptoms as well as overall well-being.
SARA PATUZZO MANZATI | Dip. di Scienze Chirurgiche, Odontostomatologiche e Materno-infantili dell’Università di Verona
PAOLO MANGANOTTI | Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata Giuliano Isontina di Trieste / Università di Trieste
Cycle of Seminars: “Solitude and Communion in Religion and Ethics“
Scientific coordination: Massimo Leone, FBK-ISR
The event, organized by FBK’s Center for Religious Studies, will be held in Italian.
The event will be in-person in the FBK Aula Piccola, while seats last, and online.
Registration by May 8, 2026 at 12:00 a.m. is required so as to arrange the connection.
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Image: AdobeStock_518968971
Speakers
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Sara Patuzzo Manzati - SpeakerDip. di Scienze Chirurgiche, Odontostomatologiche e Materno-infantili dell’Università di VeronaAfter earning a degree in philosophy from the University of Verona and completing further training in Padua and Venice, she obtained a PhD in Bioethics at the University of Turin, focusing on the history of medical deontology. Upon returning to Verona, she conducted research as a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Legal Medicine section and collaborated with medical associations, contributing to the revision of the latest Code of Medical Ethics. She subsequently developed a draft European Code of Medical Ethics in collaboration with the University of Zurich, supported by an international award from the Swiss National Research Institute. She further explored current bioethical issues with the University of Genoa and taught as an Adjunct Professor at the University of Verona. Her achievements led her to become a Researcher and later an Associate Professor of History of Medicine and Bioethics at the Department of Surgical, Dentistry, Paediatrics and Gynaecology of the University of Verona.
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Paolo Manganotti - SpeakerAzienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata Giuliano Isontina di Trieste / Università di TriesteFull Professor of Neurology, Clinical Director of the Neurology Clinic (UCO), and Director of the Department of Functional Neurosciences at the Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Integrata Giuliano Isontina, Trieste. Director of the Neurology Specialization School at the University of Trieste; from 2019 to 2023, he served as Scientific Director of the Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria di Trieste. Member of the Regional Ethics Committee of Friuli Venezia Giulia from 2016 to 2022, he also served as Regional Coordinator of the Stroke Network Friuli Venezia Giulia. Author of numerous scientific publications, his research focuses on clinical stroke, degenerative pathologies, and clinical neurophysiology.
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Organizers
The initiative was also realized thanks to the contribution of "Direzione generale Educazione, ricerca e istituti culturali" of the Ministry of Culture.