At A Glance
Virtual reality (VR) can support relaxation and emotional wellbeing by immersing users in calming, meaningful environments such as nature scenes, familiar places, and restorative virtual settings.
Across multiple studies, including feasibility studies, clinical pilots, and controlled trials, VR has been associated with increased calmness, relaxation, positive affect, and reduced stress-related symptoms in older adults, including those living with cognitive and physical impairments (Appel et al., 2020; Appel et al., 2021; Lopes et al., 2024).
More recent research also suggests that immersive nature-based VR experiences may support physiological relaxation responses, including improvements in heart rate variability, further supporting VR’s potential role in stress reduction interventions (Lopes et al., 2025).
Key Research Findings
Older adults show high willingness to re-engage with VR
76% of participants reported they would like to use VR again after their experience, indicating strong acceptability in older adults with cognitive and physical impairments (Appel et al., 2020, feasibility study).
VR is associated with positive emotional responses during use
70% of participants in acute care dementia settings displayed visible enjoyment or relaxation during VR sessions (Appel et al., 2021, acute care pilot study).
VR is associated with increased calmness and reduced stress-related emotions
Participants reported increased calmness, relaxation, and reductions in stress-related feelings such as worry and tension following VR exposure (Appel et al., 2020, feasibility study; Lopes et al., 2024, VR relaxation study).
Nature-based VR environments are commonly associated with relaxation
Forests, beaches, and outdoor environments are frequently selected and associated with relaxation and positive affect (Appel et al., 2020, feasibility study; Lopes et al., 2024, VR relaxation study).
VR may support physiological relaxation responses
Emerging evidence from VR nature exposure studies suggests changes in heart rate variability consistent with reduced physiological stress (Lopes et al., 2025, HRV forest bathing study).
VR is safe and well tolerated in older adult and dementia populations
No serious adverse events were reported across feasibility and clinical studies in cognitively and physically impaired older adults (Appel et al., 2020, feasibility study; Appel et al., 2021, acute care pilot study).
VR enables brief periods of calm engagement in clinical settings
In dementia care settings, VR has been associated with periods of observable calm engagement during sessions, even among individuals with behavioural symptoms (Appel et al., 2021, acute care pilot study).
Why This Matters
Supporting emotional wellbeing is a daily priority in long-term care and hospital environments. Older adults may experience anxiety, agitation, stress, loneliness, or social withdrawal, all of which can affect quality of life and engagement in care activities.
VR offers a practical, non-pharmacological option that can be delivered at the bedside, in communal spaces, or during one-on-one interactions. By providing immersive and personally meaningful experiences, VR may help support relaxation, positive emotional engagement, and short-term stress reduction in older adults.
Emerging evidence suggests that immersive environments—particularly nature-based VR—may also support physiological relaxation responses, further strengthening its potential as a supportive tool for emotional wellbeing in care settings.
Our Publications
Feasibility Study (2020)
Acute Care Pilot Study (2021)
VR Relaxation Study (2024)
HRV Forest Bathing Study (2025)