RESEARCH
Virtual Reality Representations of Nature to Improve Well-Being amongst Older Adults: A Rapid Review
Summary
This source details a three-part rapid literature review assessing the current understanding and strategies used for improving well-being for older adults through virtual reality representations of nature. The study was motivated by the serious health concern of poor well-being amongst older adults, acknowledging that nature contact can improve well-being across physical, social, and mental facets, but is not always accessible due to age-related limitations. The review aimed to identify articles at the intersection of well-being, elderly, technology, and nature interaction. A rapid review method was chosen to synthesize evidence more quickly than a standard systematic review, using systematic and transparent methods but potentially simplifying or omitting certain elements, such as using fewer databases. Searches were conducted across Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed databases using specific keywords for each topic, combined with conjunctions.
The content analysis of selected articles was performed by reviewers who assessed whether the abstracts concerned interaction with nature, used digital representations of nature, and focused on well-being. The review specifically aimed to identify research on virtual reality representations of nature for older adults as a means to improve social well-being. Despite identifying a total of 29 unique articles across the three searches that met at least three of the four criteria, the review found a lack of integration of insights across the domains of geriatric studies, nature studies, and human-system interaction studies. It highlighted that while some studies provide starting points for design and development, there is currently no evidence-based design approach explaining how specific characteristics of virtual nature environments impact social well-being or the underlying psychological processes. The review concludes that challenging, boundary-spanning research is needed to leverage smart technologies to bring nature inside for the aging population.
