Nidia Silva had never realized her dream of swimming with dolphins until a Miami non-governmental organization gave her a pair of virtual reality glasses as part of an experimental treatment for depression and isolation.

"You're in a world you don't know, but it's very beautiful and very important for me to see," 78-year-old Silva said after taking off the virtual reality goggles.

"I'm very excited," said Silva, who felt like she had been swimming in the water around Cuba, from which she emigrated 19 years ago.

Alexandra Ivanovitch said the project, called "VR Genie," is designed to counteract the "loneliness and social isolation" that often affects the elderly.

AFP