An immersive multicomponent virtual reality intervention for cognitive and emotional health in community-dwelling older adults with mild cognitive impairment: a randomized controlled trial

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is associated with both cognitive decline and increased risk of depression, highlighting the need for integrated interventions targeting multiple domains. Virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a promising tool for cognitive stimulation; however, evidence for immersive, multicomponent VR interventions addressing both cognitive and emotional health remains limited. This study evaluated the effectiveness of an immersive multicomponent VR intervention in community-dwelling older adults with MCI. A randomized controlled trial was conducted with 50 older adults with MCI recruited from a community dementia support center. Participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention group ( n = 25), which received a 6-week immersive VR-based multicomponent program, or the control group ( n = 25), which received standard care consisting of a cognitive training booklet for home use. After attrition, 41 participants completed the study (intervention group, n = 22; control group, n = 19). The intervention incorporated cognitive training, positive affective stimulation, and reminiscence-oriented content through immersive scenarios. The main outcomes were cognitive function, depressive symptoms, and quality of life (QoL), assessed using the Seoul Neuropsychological Screening Battery-Core, Short Geriatric Depression Scale, and Korean version of the Control Autonomy Self-realization Pleasure-16, respectively. Cybersickness and satisfaction with the intervention were assessed in the intervention group. Within-group changes were analyzed using paired t-tests, and between-group differences were analyzed using independent t-tests. Compared with the control group, participants in the intervention group showed significantly greater improvements in attention, language ability, visuospatial function, memory, verbal fluency, and inhibitory control. Depressive symptoms significantly decreased, and QoL significantly improved in the intervention group compared with the control group. However, no significant between-group differences were observed in processing speed or cognitive flexibility. These findings provide preliminary evidence supporting the potential of an immersive multicomponent VR intervention to improve cognitive and emotional outcomes in community-dwelling older adults with MCI. Clinical Research Information Service (CRIS) registry: KCT0010291, registered 13/03/2025. Retrospectively registered.