Impact of 4 Weeks or More Immersive Virtual Reality on Quality of Life and Physical Activity in Older Adults: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

IVR interventions of 4 weeks or more appear to moderately improve quality of life in older adults, especially those with clinical vulnerabilities or in institutional settings. Although effects on physical activity were not significant, trends suggest potential with appropriate program design. Preliminary findings support IVR's use in pain reduction, particularly when incorporating emotional and multisensory elements. The low incidence of adverse events suggests good tolerability. Overall, IVR is a promising and safe tool to support healthy aging, though further high-quality studies are needed to confirm these findings and assess long-term outcomes.