Augmented reality for cognitive empowerment in healthy aging: A systematic review

This is the authors' abstract. We don't add key points for this paper.

This systematic review examines Augmented Reality (AR) as a potential cognitive tool for healthy older adults amid population aging. Although AR is increasingly applied in rehabilitation contexts, its potential role in supporting cognitive functioning in prevention-oriented approaches remains insufficiently explored. Given the rapid global aging of the population, identifying innovative and scalable strategies to preserve cognitive health and support active aging is increasingly critical for public health and long-term autonomy in later life. Methods: This systematic review followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines and was prospectively registered in the PROSPERO database. Systematic searches were conducted in Scopus, PubMed, and PsycINFO (EBSCOhost), covering studies published up to November 2025. The search strategy combined terms across four conceptual domains: Augmented Reality, cognitive functions, aging/older adults, and interventions or training. Inclusion criteria required AR-based interventions targeting cognitively healthy older adults and reporting at least one validated cognitive outcome (e.g., Trail Making Test, Stroop Test, Digit Span). Exclusion criteria included clinical populations (e.g., dementia), virtual or mixed reality interventions, and non-validated outcomes. Study selection and data extraction were performed independently by two reviewers using Rayyan, with disagreements resolved by consensus and with the involvement of a third author. Methodological quality and risk of bias were assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tools. A total of 126 records were initially identified. Eighty-eight articles were screened via title and abstract, and nine full-text articles were assessed for eligibility; three were excluded after full-text assessment. Ultimately, six studies involving 291 participants were included. AR interventions were categorized into four types: 3D mental rotation training, AR exergames, AR n-back working memory programs, and floor-projected AR exercises. Cognitive outcomes included visuospatial reasoning, working memory, attention, executive function, and processing speed, assessed using standardized tools. AR interventions were associated with domain-specific cognitive improvements and reduced cognitive load, with stronger effcts observed in multi-week, repeated-session programs compared with single-session interventions. AR shows promising potential for supporting cognitive health in older adults by targeting multiple cognitive domains through immersive and adaptive interventions. However, the available evidence remains limited and heterogeneous, highlighting the need for larger randomized controlled trials and longer-term follow-up studies.