Immersive virtual reality for older adults: Challenges and solutions in basic research and clinical applications

IF 12.5 1区医学 Q1 CELL BIOLOGY

Ageing Research Reviews Pub Date : 2025-05-13 DOI:10.1016/j.arr.2025.102771

Malika Schaumburg , Ashar Imtiaz , Ruojing Zhou , Matthieu Bernard , Thomas Wolbers , Vladislava Segen

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Immersive virtual reality (IVR) offers significant potential for aging research, providing a controlled yet ecologically valid platform for studying cognitive, emotional, and motor processes, as well as supporting interventions and diagnostic assessments in older adults. However, its usability can be hindered by age-related sensory, motor, and cognitive changes, which may contribute to anxiety, disorientation, and reduced task engagement. In this narrative review, we examine the challenges older adults face with IVR and explore strategies to optimize its design for this population. These challenges include negative attitudes, sensory and motor limitations, and cognitive decline, all of which influence interaction with virtual environments. Based on these insights, we discuss design considerations such as self-paced interactions, simplified control mechanisms, task-relevant visual and auditory adjustments, and structured training protocols to enhance engagement. Additionally, we highlight strategies to minimize cognitive load and physical discomfort, supporting the development of IVR applications that are both effective and accessible for aging populations.

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老年人沉浸式虚拟现实：基础研究和临床应用的挑战和解决方案。

沉浸式虚拟现实（IVR）为老龄化研究提供了巨大的潜力，为研究老年人的认知、情感和运动过程提供了一个可控但生态有效的平台，并支持干预和诊断评估。然而，它的可用性可能会受到年龄相关的感觉、运动和认知变化的阻碍，这些变化可能会导致焦虑、定向障碍和任务参与度降低。在这篇叙述性综述中，我们研究了老年人使用IVR面临的挑战，并探索了针对这一人群优化其设计的策略。这些挑战包括消极态度、感觉和运动限制以及认知能力下降，所有这些都会影响与虚拟环境的互动。基于这些见解，我们讨论了设计考虑因素，如自定节奏交互，简化控制机制，任务相关的视觉和听觉调整，以及结构化的培训协议，以提高参与度。此外，我们强调的策略，以尽量减少认知负荷和身体不适，支持IVR应用程序的开发，既有效，并为老年人访问。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Ageing Research Reviews 医学-老年医学

CiteScore

19.80

自引率

2.30%

发文量

216

审稿时长

55 days

期刊介绍： With the rise in average human life expectancy, the impact of ageing and age-related diseases on our society has become increasingly significant. Ageing research is now a focal point for numerous laboratories, encompassing leaders in genetics, molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry, and behavior. Ageing Research Reviews (ARR) serves as a cornerstone in this field, addressing emerging trends. ARR aims to fill a substantial gap by providing critical reviews and viewpoints on evolving discoveries concerning the mechanisms of ageing and age-related diseases. The rapid progress in understanding the mechanisms controlling cellular proliferation, differentiation, and survival is unveiling new insights into the regulation of ageing. From telomerase to stem cells, and from energy to oxyradical metabolism, we are witnessing an exciting era in the multidisciplinary field of ageing research. The journal explores the cellular and molecular foundations of interventions that extend lifespan, such as caloric restriction. It identifies the underpinnings of manipulations that extend lifespan, shedding light on novel approaches for preventing age-related diseases. ARR publishes articles on focused topics selected from the expansive field of ageing research, with a particular emphasis on the cellular and molecular mechanisms of the aging process. This includes age-related diseases like cancer, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and neurodegenerative disorders. The journal also covers applications of basic ageing research to lifespan extension and disease prevention, offering a comprehensive platform for advancing our understanding of this critical field.