An interpretative phenomenological inquiry into older adults’ experience of nature through virtual reality and its effect on their perceived well-being

The study reveals that virtual nature experiences can evoke emotionally complex responses, underscoring the need for individualised and context-sensitive implementation. It cautions against overstating VR's positive effects and calls for trauma-informed, age-appropriate approaches that take account of personal history and technological limitations. By openly reporting less favourable experiences, this study contributes to a more balanced evidence base and challenges prevailing publication bias in VR research.