The Benefits of Nostalgia-Based Virtual Reality Brain Health Interventions on Nostalgia Tendencies, Life Satisfaction, Psychological Well-Being, Depression Levels, and Cognitive Function in Older Adults

Launched by NATIONAL TAIWAN NORMAL UNIVERSITY · May 14, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This study is testing whether a memory-boosting program that uses nostalgia-themed virtual reality (VR) can help older adults in northern Taiwan with mild cognitive problems or mild dementia. It’s a randomized trial, meaning people are assigned by chance to either the Nostalgia-Based VR Cognitive Training group or to a routine activities group. The program runs for 12 weeks, with follow-up at 24 weeks. The main thing scientists will look at is whether the VR training changes overall thinking and memory (measured by a standard cognitive test called MoCA-T). They’ll also check whether it affects nostalgia feelings, mood (depression), psychological well-being, and life satisfaction.

Who can participate? Adults aged 65 and older living in the community in northern Taiwan who can speak Mandarin or Taiwanese, and who can wear and use VR gear and have enough vision and hearing. People with severe dementia or major psychiatric disorders are not eligible. If you join, you’ll have weekly sessions lasting about 60–90 minutes at your care facility, with 10–30 minutes of actual VR use, plenty of support, and safety monitoring. The trial is based at National Taiwan Normal University and plans to enroll about 90 people; it’s currently enrolling by invitation, with results expected after completion in early 2026.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Age 65 years or older, Able to communicate in Mandarin or Taiwanese, Capable of wearing and operating a VR headset and handheld controllers, Sufficient vision and hearing to interact with VR content (assistive devices allowed), Able to provide informed consent or have a legal guardian provide consent
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Diagnosis of severe dementia or advanced neurodegenerative disease, Severe psychiatric disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder), Major visual or auditory impairments that would interfere with VR use, even with assistive devices, Unconsciousness or inability to stay awake or focused for the session duration, Inability to comply with study protocol or scheduled sessions