Nature-inspired virtual reality boosts emotional well-being in older adults living with dementia

Exposure to nature — even in a virtual setting — can enhance the emotional well-being and quality of life for older adults living with dementia.

That’s the main finding from a pilot study led by Junhyoung “Paul” Kim, a health technology researcher with Department of Health Behavior in the Texas A&M University School of Public Health. It also sheds light on important challenges this population faces when using this virtual reality technology for the first time.

Published in the American Journal of Health Behavior, the study involved 11 residents of a long-term memory care facility who were diagnosed with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease.

Twice weekly over five weeks, participants engaged in nature-themed virtual reality sessions using Oculus Quest 2 headsets and the Nature Treks Virtual Reality application.

For each 20- to 30-minute session, users were immersed in calming, natural landscapes, including forests, meadows, oceans and sunsets, and could interact with animated plants and animals.

“While research supports the benefits of nature-based activities for people living with dementia, these individuals often face significant barriers — such as limited mobility, environmental obstacles and safety concerns — that prevent them from engaging in real-life outdoor programs,” Kim said. “This intervention allowed participants to safely explore and connect with diverse nature-themed virtual reality settings in a personalized and meaningful way.”

The research team used a pretest-posttest approach to quantify changes in emotional well-being and perceived quality of life. Results showed a significant increase in feelings of pleasure and alertness, along with a reduction in negative emotions such as anxiety, sadness and anger. Participants reported a noticeable improvement in overall quality of life following the intervention.

The team also collected qualitative data during the final week of the study through in-depth interviews with participants and their caregivers.

“Three core themes emerged from the interviews: participants’ enjoyment of exploring virtual natural environments, the novelty and excitement of the virtual reality experience and the triggering of fond memories and reminiscence,” Kim said.

The study also revealed several usability barriers, with some participants struggling to use the headsets and handheld controllers. The researchers noted these difficulties point to a need for more age-friendly design features.

“Simplifying the control interfaces and improving the ergonomic fit of headsets could significantly enhance accessibility for older adults with cognitive impairments,” Kim said.

Still, the results are promising, according to the researchers.

“Our findings underscore the therapeutic potential of immersive technology for older adults and supports the ongoing efforts to design virtual platforms for them,” Kim said. “They offer a promising step forward, especially as the number of Americans living with Alzheimer’s disease — currently over 7 million — continues to grow.”

Others on the research team were School of Public Health Assistant Professor Jungjoo Lee and colleagues from the University of Utah, Indiana University and South Korea’s Osan University.

By Ann Kellett, Texas A&M University School of Public Health