The application of virtual reality meditation and mind-body exercises among older adults.
Dong Gao, Yuqin Su, Xing Zhang, Hansen Li, Hongcheng Luo
Frontiers in Psychology 2024 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2024.1303880 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Older adults |
| Interventions | VR meditation VR mind-body exercises |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Elderly Mind–body exercises Public health Virtual reality |
| Citations | 18 |
| Key findings | VR-based mindfulness interventions improve mental health, pain, quality of life, and physical function in older adults, but face implementation challenges. |
Abstract
Virtual reality (VR)-based mindfulness is a promising method to improve the health of older adults. Therefore, many attempts have been made to explore the application of VR-based mindfulness, such as VR meditation and mind-body exercises, in older adults. Generally, current studies indicate the heavy reliance on apparatus for implementing VR-based mindfulness interventions. In VR meditation, the crucial apparatus is VR headsets. In VR mind-body exercises, three essential components are required: motion capture sensors, main consoles, and display screens. In the aspect of health promotion, VR meditation is an effective method for improving mental health, pain, and quality of life in older adults. VR mind-body exercises contribute to increasing the mental health and physical function of older adults. Furthermore, VR mind-body exercises may be combined with other forms of exercise as a mixed method to promote the health of older adults. VR-based mindfulness interventions enhance the meditation and mind-body exercises experience for older adults while improving accessibility. However, their implementation still encounters a series of challenges, such as cost, technical anxiety, and apparatus-related issues. Additionally, we recommend future research to examine the optimal exercise dose for VR mind-body exercises to maximize their health benefits.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on meditation, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mindfulness training as a clinical intervention: A conceptual and empirical review. Clinical populations | 2003 | Review | |
| Mindfulness: Theoretical Foundations and Evidence for its Salutary Effects | 2007 | Review | |
| Mindfulness Interventions | 2016 | Review | |
| Mind the Hype: A Critical Evaluation and Prescriptive Agenda for Research on Mindfulness and Meditation | 2017 | Review | |
| Mindfulness and acceptance: expanding the cognitive-behavioral tradition | 2005 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Mindfulness and meditation: Promoting emotional and cognitive health. Progress in Brain Research 2025
- The Integration of Artificial Intelligence, Back Propagation Neural Network, and Virtual Reality in Tennis Training: A Perspective of Mindfulness Meditation Journal of Mechanics in Medicine and Biology March 27, 2026
- A Novel Virtual Reality-Based Nature Meditation Program for Older Adults’ Mental Health: Results from a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical Gerontologist March 28, 2025
Cites 14
- Mindfulness-based interventions: an overall review British Medical Bulletin April 21, 2021
- Effects of virtual reality guided meditation in older adults: the protocol of a pilot randomized controlled trial. Frontiers in Psychology 2023
- Effects and safety of virtual reality-based mindfulness in patients with psychosis: a randomized controlled pilot study. Schizophrenia September 13, 2023
- The effectiveness of mindfulness-based interventions in inflammatory bowel disease: A Systematic Review & Meta-Analysis. Journal of Psychosomatic Research June 2023
- Effects of Mindfulness-Based Interventions (MBIs) in Patients with Early-Stage Alzheimer's Disease: A Pilot Study. Brain Sciences March 13, 2023
and 9 more in the library