JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

The fast-growing number of older adults with mental and memory problems has brought serious public health concerns. Reminiscence is one type of non-pharmacological intervention that can effectively evoke memories, stimulate mental activities, and improve older adults’ psychological well-being through discussions on previous experiences. Fully-immersive virtual reality (FIVR) may be a useful tool for reminiscence interventions because it utilizes realistic virtual environments connected to a person’s significant past stories.

Objective:

The objective of this review was to examine empirical evidence regarding the application of FIVR on reminiscence interventions, its usability and acceptability, and its effectiveness in assisting the intervention to achieve optimal results.

Methods:

This review adopted the PRISMA approach for scoping reviews. The electronic databases—PubMed, PsycINFO, EMBASE, CINAHL and Web of Science, ACM, IEEE Xplore--were used for the search. We included peer-reviewed studies that used FIVR as an assistive tool for reminiscence interventions, reported empirical research, involved older adults as subjects, and addressed health-related outcomes and/or the feasibility and usability of FIVR.

Results:

Ten articles were identified. The results indicated that FIVR-assisted reminiscence interventions were implemented in various settings and populations, were associated with a reduction of anxiety and improvement in certain measures of apathy, were usable and acceptable by people with cognitive impairments, and were viewed as a positive experience.

Conclusions:

The proper application of FIVR on reminiscence interventions can improve older adults’ health and well-being, and reduce their caregivers’ burden. This review also helped identify future research directions and develop evidence-based practice recommendations.