Effects of virtual reality on pain and anxiety in older adults: A scoping review

Background: Interventions using Virtual Reality (VR) improve physical and mental health in different populations. Despite the prevalence of anxiety and pain and their impact on the quality of life of older adults, only a few studies have examined the effects of VR-delivered interventions on these conditions. Objective: This paper reports findings on the feasibility and efficacy of interventions delivered through VR to reduce pain and/or anxiety among older patients. Method: A systematic literature search was conducted focused on 8 databases, using the PRISMA for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. Results: Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria. VR intervention appears to be a suitable and effective method for reducing anxiety in older adults. Results regarding pain are promising, although some studies report non-significant effects. Conclusions: Despite methodological limitations, the studies revealed the acceptability and feasibility of VR interventions for reducing pain and anxiety. The development of personalized VR interventions, considering factors like familiarity and comfort, holds promise for further investigation. (c) 2025 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/)