Abstract
Depression and anxiety are prevalent mental health issues among older adults, often exacerbated by social isolation and cognitive decline. Traditional therapeutic interventions can be limited in their accessibility and effectiveness for this population. In response, immersive virtual reality (VR) has gained attention as a novel intervention to address these challenges. This systematic review examines the current body of research on the use of immersive VR for managing depression and anxiety in older adults. We evaluate the efficacy of VR-based interventions across multiple studies, focusing on their ability to reduce symptoms, enhance mood, and promote cognitive engagement through exposure therapy, mindfulness, and social interaction simulations. The review highlights the therapeutic mechanisms of VR, such as creating controlled, immersive environments that facilitate emotional regulation and stress reduction. Additionally, we discuss the barriers to VR adoption, including accessibility, cost, and technological literacy among older adults. The findings suggest that immersive VR holds promise as a complementary tool to traditional therapies, offering tailored, interactive interventions that can improve mental health outcomes in older populations. Future research directions are proposed to optimize VR technology for wider use in geriatric mental health care.
Presenters
Sunkanmi FolorunshoGraduate Teaching Assistant, Sociology, University of Nebraska - Lincoln, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
Depression, Artificial Intelligence, Anxiety, Aging
