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This review investigates the effects of immersive virtual reality interventions on psychological symptoms in older adults.

January 17, 2026PLOS Digital HealthOpen Access

Immersive virtual reality-based intervention for psychological wellbeing among older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis

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Systematic review demonstrates improvements in psychological wellbeing among older adults via virtual reality, suggesting new therapeutic paths.

This review investigates the effects of immersive virtual reality interventions on psychological symptoms in older adults.
Conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis following Cochrane guidelines.
Searched six databases for studies from 2010 to December 2024.
Included ten randomized controlled trials involving 746 older adults.
Assessed quality using the Cochrane Risk of Bias tool.
Employed RevMan 5.3 for meta-analysis.
IVR significantly reduced depressive symptoms with a standardized mean difference (SMD) of -0.83.
IVR significantly reduced anxiety with an SMD of -0.77.
All studies reported significant reductions in stress compared to standard care.
All studies observed improvements in affect compared to control conditions.

Su et al. (2026) studied this question.

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Systematic review demonstrates improvements in psychological wellbeing among older adults via virtual reality, suggesting new therapeutic paths.