JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Loneliness, social isolation, and diminished emotional well-being are increasingly recognized as pressing concerns in later life, often linked to increased risks of depression, cognitive decline, and reduced quality of life. Traditional psychosocial interventions often encounter practical barriers, such as limited mobility and geographic dispersion. In response, Virtual Reality (VR) has gained traction as a potentially valuable medium to improve emotional and social well-being in older populations. However, a comprehensive overview of how VR is being deployed in this context is lacking in its formats, objectives, and implementation settings.

Objective:

This scoping review aimed to systematically map the current empirical landscape of VR-based interventions that aim to improve emotional and social well-being in older adults. Specifically, it sought to identify common modalities, thematic trends, reported outcomes, and contextual factors that shape the design and delivery of these interventions.

Methods:

Twenty-five peer-reviewed empirical studies published between 2017 and 2025 were selected based on predefined inclusion criteria. Eligible studies included participants 60 years or older, used VR as a central component of the intervention, and reported outcomes related to loneliness, emotional well-being, or social connection. Data were extracted and descriptively synthesized to capture intervention characteristics, delivery formats, and user experiences.

Results:

Evidence indicates that VR interventions enhance emotional well-being, social connection, and engagement among older adults. Passive experiences, such as 360° videos, often elicit short-term relaxation and enjoyment, while more participatory or symbolic formats, such as co-creative environments or reminiscence-based scenarios, support deeper psychological benefits, including self-expression, identity reinforcement, and emotional connection. Socially interactive VR, particularly through avatar-mediated communication, shows strong potential to reduce loneliness and foster authentic interpersonal engagement. Effectiveness is closely tied to usability, accessibility, and cultural relevance. Although qualitative approaches offer insight into user experience and emotional mechanisms, quantitative research provides measurable outcomes; both contribute complementary perspectives. Assessments suggest that studies with greater methodological rigor tend to report a higher perceived impact, although the variability of the outcomes and the complexity of the interpretation remain. Creative and hybrid VR formats appear especially promising for balancing emotional depth with accessibility. In general, the findings highlight the importance of inclusive, user-centered design and context-sensitive implementation to maximize the psychosocial benefits of VR in later life.

Conclusions:

VR interventions can support emotional and social well-being in older adults, particularly when they involve multi-user environments, culturally meaningful content, co-design, and trained facilitators. Passive formats offer short-term mood benefits but have limited lasting impact. Future research should emphasize inclusive design, long-term engagement assessment, and integration into existing care models to ensure sustainable and meaningful implementation.