What is it about?

This study explores how older adults with cognitive impairment or dementia interact with virtual reality (VR). It reviews 14 research studies to understand what makes these VR tools easy to use, enjoyable, and helpful. The review finds that immersive VR can improve mood and motivation in older adults, and sometimes helps with memory or focus. However, the success of these applications depends on how well they are adapted to each person's needs. This research helps designers and healthcare professionals create better VR tools for therapy and support in aging populations.

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Why is it important?

This is the first updated review focused specifically on how elderly people with dementia experience VR, highlighting the emotional, cognitive, and social impacts of immersive and non-immersive systems. It offers practical recommendations to improve the usability and personalization of VR tools, and proposes integrating AI to tailor experiences in real time. These findings can guide future therapeutic technologies and make VR more accessible and effective for vulnerable populations.

Perspectives

As a researcher, I believe this work can raise awareness of the importance of designing digital tools that truly consider the capabilities and comfort of older adults. Writing this article allowed us to identify not only the therapeutic value of VR but also its potential to strengthen emotional connections between patients and caregivers. I hope this inspires further research on ethical, adaptive, and user-centered technologies for aging populations.

Jorge Buele
Universidad Tecnologica Indoamerica

Read the Original

This page is a summary of: User Experience in Virtual Reality (VR) Applications for Elderly People with Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: A Scoping Review, Current Alzheimer Research, November 2024, Bentham Science Publishers,
DOI: 10.2174/0115672050367594250206103806.
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