Efficacy of immersive virtual reality reminiscence for older persons living in the community in Singapore: A multi-centre study.
Kelvin Cheng Kian Tan, Ivy Chia, Kenny Tan et al.
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In 30 seconds
This multicentre randomised controlled trial compared immersive virtual-reality reminiscence with photograph-based reminiscence in 60 community-dwelling older adults in Singapore (mean age 78.57 years). Both groups attended four weekly 30-minute sessions using culturally relevant material. The VR group had a significant improvement in subjective happiness (Cohen’s d=0.45, p=0.034) and improved technology-acceptance measures, including attitudinal beliefs (d=0.67, p=0.002) and control beliefs (d=0.53, p=0.009). The authors conclude that VR reminiscence may enhance happiness and technology acceptance in this population.
Key findings
- Subjective happiness improved significantly in the VR group (Cohen’s d=0.45, p=0.034).
- Technology-acceptance attitudinal beliefs (d=0.67, p=0.002) and control beliefs (d=0.53, p=0.009) improved in the VR group.
- A positive correlation between subjective happiness and loneliness was observed (ρ=0.559, p<0.001).
- Interviews identified culturally relevant content as emotionally engaging and facilitator support as important for technology acceptance.
Why it matters
The findings suggest that immersive reminiscence using familiar cultural material may support subjective happiness while helping older adults engage with VR. The study also highlights that technology acceptance may depend on both the content and facilitator support. These results add preliminary evidence for a non-pharmacological approach to wellbeing in community-dwelling older adults, while not establishing effects beyond the studied setting and intervention.
What to keep in mind
The trial included 60 participants from Singapore and assessed outcomes only at baseline and post-intervention; longer-term effects are not reported.