{"title":"Immersive Virtual Reality to Promote Mental Health in Older Adults: A Systematic Review.","authors":"Sunkanmi Folorunsho, Olabisi Lawal, Olamide Ogundare, Etinosa Osawe, Oluwatobi Adedoyin","doi":"10.1080/07317115.2026.2639141","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objectives: </strong>This systematic review examined the use of immersive virtual reality (IVR) to support multidimensional mental health among older adults.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Seven databases were searched for peer-reviewed studies published between January 2020 and March 2025, with forward and backward citation tracking completed in April 2025 (PROSPERO ID: CRD42025644394). Eligible studies involved adults aged 60 years and older, used fully immersive IVR via head-mounted displays, and assessed mental health outcomes. Ten studies met inclusion criteria, spanning randomized, quasi-experimental, pre - post, and mixed-methods designs across North America, Europe, and Asia.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Eight of the 10 studies reported improvements in mental health. Virtual nature and guided meditation were most strongly associated with reductions in depression and anxiety, while reminiscence-based IVR improved positive affect and life satisfaction. Controlled studies showed stronger correlation than uncontrolled designs. Barriers such as discomfort, cybersickness, and low digital literacy were commonly addressed through facilitator support and age-friendly design, with feasibility demonstrated across community and long-term care settings.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Immersive virtual reality is a promising non-pharmacological approach to supporting mental health and reducing social isolation in older adults.</p><p><strong>Clinical implications: </strong>When appropriately adapted, brief, facilitator-supported IVR sessions may improve mental health outcomes among older adults in community and institutional settings.</p>","PeriodicalId":10376,"journal":{"name":"Clinical Gerontologist","volume":" ","pages":"835-846"},"PeriodicalIF":2.3000,"publicationDate":"2026-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Clinical Gerontologist","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1080/07317115.2026.2639141","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"2026/3/4 0:00:00","PubModel":"Epub","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"GERIATRICS & GERONTOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Objectives: This systematic review examined the use of immersive virtual reality (IVR) to support multidimensional mental health among older adults.
Methods: Seven databases were searched for peer-reviewed studies published between January 2020 and March 2025, with forward and backward citation tracking completed in April 2025 (PROSPERO ID: CRD42025644394). Eligible studies involved adults aged 60 years and older, used fully immersive IVR via head-mounted displays, and assessed mental health outcomes. Ten studies met inclusion criteria, spanning randomized, quasi-experimental, pre - post, and mixed-methods designs across North America, Europe, and Asia.
Results: Eight of the 10 studies reported improvements in mental health. Virtual nature and guided meditation were most strongly associated with reductions in depression and anxiety, while reminiscence-based IVR improved positive affect and life satisfaction. Controlled studies showed stronger correlation than uncontrolled designs. Barriers such as discomfort, cybersickness, and low digital literacy were commonly addressed through facilitator support and age-friendly design, with feasibility demonstrated across community and long-term care settings.
Conclusions: Immersive virtual reality is a promising non-pharmacological approach to supporting mental health and reducing social isolation in older adults.
Clinical implications: When appropriately adapted, brief, facilitator-supported IVR sessions may improve mental health outcomes among older adults in community and institutional settings.
期刊介绍：
Clinical Gerontologist presents original research, reviews, and clinical comments relevant to the needs of behavioral health professionals and all practitioners who work with older adults. Published in cooperation with Psychologists in Long Term Care, the journal is designed for psychologists, physicians, nurses, social workers, counselors (family, pastoral, and vocational), and other health professionals who address behavioral health concerns found in later life, including:
-adjustments to changing roles-
issues related to diversity and aging-
family caregiving-
spirituality-
cognitive and psychosocial assessment-
depression, anxiety, and PTSD-
Alzheimer’s disease and other neurocognitive disorders-
long term care-
behavioral medicine in aging-
rehabilitation and education for older adults.
Each issue provides insightful articles on current topics. Submissions are peer reviewed by content experts and selected for both scholarship and relevance to the practitioner to ensure that the articles are among the best in the field. Authors report original research and conceptual reviews. A unique column in Clinical Gerontologist is “Clinical Comments." This section features brief observations and specific suggestions from practitioners which avoid elaborate research designs or long reference lists. This section is a unique opportunity for you to learn about the valuable clinical work of your peers in a short, concise format.
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