Author summary This study investigated the effects of immersive virtual reality (IVR)-based psychological interventions in alleviating psychological symptoms and enhancing well-being among older adults. The novelty of this research lies in its pooling of results from updated randomized controlled trials that exclusively examine the immersive format of VR-delivered psychological interventions. Previous studies often combined varying levels of VR immersiveness or mixed different types of IVR-based interventions (e.g., exercise, cognitive assessment, psychological), resulting in high heterogeneity that impeded definitive conclusions. The impact of this study is demonstrated by employing advanced immersive technology to create vivid and interactive experiences (e.g., garden environments) that achieve therapeutic effects. The meta-analysis results revealed that IVR-based psychological interventions significantly reduced depressive symptoms and anxiety among older adults, indicating the high potential of this modality for improving psychological outcomes, particularly for those with mobility limitations.
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Abstract
Immersive virtual reality (IVR) is an emerging therapeutic modality that engages older adults in psychological therapeutically oriented activities developed to improve their psychological well-being. This systematic review aims to in… [49640 chars]
Source: PLOS (Public Library of Science) | Published: 2026-01-15T00:00:00Z
Credit: PLOS (Public Library of Science)
