Scoping Reviews
Completed
STUDY OVERVIEW
SUMMARY
As of 2021, VR was increasingly explored to support wellbeing in people with dementia, but there was no clear overview of how it was being used or evaluated. We conducted a scoping review to address this gap and describe the state of the research at the time. Eighteen papers (19 studies) were included and analyzed for outcomes, study design, delivery, and technical features of VR systems.
KEY FINDINGS
Most studies focused on emotional outcomes, finding generally positive or neutral effects on wellbeing. Fewer studies examined social engagement or personhood. VR approaches varied widely in design and delivery. Overall, findings suggest VR is a promising tool for supporting wellbeing in people with dementia. We identified a need for more tailored and customizable VR experiences, and for further research to better understand impacts across different populations and settings.
