Dementia and Alzheimer'swhat the research examines
Short answer: The library holds 24 references on virtual reality and dementia and Alzheimer's, published between 2016 and 2026. They include 6 systematic reviews or meta-analyses and 2 randomised controlled trials. The research mainly examines reminiscence with immersive video.
The evidence in numbers
24References
6Systematic reviews and meta-analyses
2Randomised trials
2016–2026Years
Counted in the RVer study library · languages: English. The design of each study was classified by the team from the publication.
What the research examines
- Reminiscence with immersive video: memories, conversation and engagement.
- Well-being, mood and apathy in people with dementia, in care homes, hospitals and palliative care.
- Behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia, such as aggression, agitation and depression.
- Cognitive stimulation and training in people with mild cognitive impairment or Alzheimer's disease.
- Whether virtual reality is tolerated and accepted by people with dementia.
What is not yet known
- Small samples and short interventions, from one session to a few weeks.
- Little research that tells the stages of dementia apart.
- Different measures from study to study, which makes results hard to pool.
- How long the effect lasts once sessions end.
The references, by study design
Meta-analyses · 4
- Virtual reality-based training in patients with alzheimer's disease: A systematic review and meta-analysisJunjie Wang · 2026 · The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease, 13(7): 100590
- The use and effect of virtual reality as a non-pharmacological intervention for behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia: a systematic review and meta-analysisLi-Chin Wang · 2025 · Age and Ageing, 54(5): afaf117
- Efficacy and Moderators of Virtual Reality for Cognitive Training in People with Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review and Meta-AnalysisThemis Papaioannou · 2022 · Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 88(4): 1341–1370
- The effectiveness of virtual reality for people with mild cognitive impairment or dementia: a meta-analysisOksoo Kim · 2019 · BMC Psychiatry, 19(1): 219
Systematic reviews · 2
- Benefits of VR Physical Exercise on Cognition in Older Adults with and without Mild Cognitive Decline: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled TrialsKohei Sakaki · 2021 · Healthcare (MDPI), 9(7): 883
- Use of Immersive Virtual Reality in the Assessment and Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease: A Systematic ReviewFelix Clay · 2020 · Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 75(1): 23–43
Randomised controlled trials · 2
- Effects of an immersive virtual reality reminiscence intervention on engagement, behavioral and psychological symptoms, and well-being of people with dementia: A randomized crossover trialMiguel Pereira · 2025 · Journal of Alzheimer's Disease, 107(4): 1517–1529
- Evaluating the Impact of Virtual Reality on the Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia and Quality of Life of Inpatients With Dementia in Acute Care: Randomized Controlled Trial (VRCT)Lora Appel · 2024 · Journal of Medical Internet Research, 26: e51758
Non-randomised clinical studies · 3
- Exploring the Immediate and Long-Term Effects of Immersive Virtual Reality on Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia and Caregiver Burden: Longitudinal Observational StudyLing-Chun Huang · 2025 · JMIR Serious Games, 13: e73044
- Using Virtual Reality to Improve the Quality of Life of Older Adults with Cognitive Impairments and their Family Members who Live at a DistanceTamara Afifi · 2023 · Health Communication, 38(9): 1904–1915
- The Long-term Effects of Immersive Virtual Reality Reminiscence in People With Dementia: Longitudinal Observational StudyLing-Chun Huang · 2022 · JMIR Serious Games, 10(3): e36720
Pilot or feasibility studies · 7
- An Intervention on Anxiety Symptoms in Moderate Alzheimer's Disease through Virtual Reality: A Feasibility Study and Lessons LearnedDesirée Sánchez-Nieto · 2023 · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 20(3): 2727
- Developing a virtual reality for people with dementia in nursing homes based on their psychological needs: a feasibility studyJung-Hee Kim · 2021 · BMC Geriatrics, 21(1): 167
- Preliminary Research: Virtual Reality in Residential Aged Care to Reduce Apathy and Improve MoodRachel E. Brimelow · 2020 · Cyberpsychology, Behavior, and Social Networking, 23(3): 165–170
- Promoting Reminiscences with Virtual Reality Headsets: A Pilot Study with People with DementiaTiago Coelho · 2020 · International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(24): 9301
- Virtual Reality for Therapeutic Recreation in Dementia Hospice Care: A Feasibility StudyClaire Ferguson · 2020 · American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine®, 37(10): 809–815
- Effectiveness of a Virtual Reality Forest on People With Dementia: A Mixed Methods Pilot StudyWendy Moyle · 2018 · The Gerontologist, 58(3): 478–487
- A Feasibility Study with Image-Based Rendered Virtual Reality in Patients with Mild Cognitive Impairment and DementiaValeria Manera · 2016 · PLOS ONE, 11(3): e0151487
Qualitative or user studies · 1
- Expectations for a co-designed virtual immersive program for older adults with dementia in long-term care: a qualitative study with residents, family, and staffMary Van · 2026 · Frontiers in Dementia, 5: 1735564
Narrative or scoping reviews · 3
- Virtual Reality Reminiscence Therapy in Dementia Care: Scoping Review of ResearchMaria Matsangidou · 2025 · JMIR XR and Spatial Computing, 2: e73539
- Virtual reality to promote wellbeing in persons with dementia: A scoping reviewLora Appel · 2021 · Journal of Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies Engineering, 8: 20556683211053952
- A Mini-Review of Virtual Reality-Based Interventions to Promote Well-Being for People Living with Dementia and Mild Cognitive ImpairmentNathan M. D’Cunha · 2019 · Gerontology, 65(4): 430–440
Books or chapters · 1
- Therapeutic Virtual Reality (RVer) Findings in Older Adults’ Cognitive Impairment and DepressionRita Ferreira · 2022 · RVer
Clinical studies, design not stated · 1
- Enhancing the daily lives of aged care residents including those with mild cognitive impairment through virtual reality travel experiencesHans Stefan · 2025 · Virtual Reality, 29(3): 106
Glossary terms
Other topics
This page describes what published research on virtual reality examines in this topic. It is not a claim about RVer's performance and does not replace clinical assessment. The Class I medical device registration (EUDAMED, Basic UDI-DI 56006195127RVERTZ, and INFARMED, Portugal, CDM 94571546) covers the RVer base product.