Intervention Program for Psychological Well-Being in Institutionalized Older Adults Through Virtual Reality

This randomized controlled trial (N = 60) evaluates the acceptability and efficacy of an immersive virtual reality (IVR) intervention designed to enhance psychological well-being in older adults without cognitive impairment living in long-term care facilities. The intervention protocol consists of 12 sessions combining guided reminiscence, relaxation, and virtual cultural experiences. In addition, the study analyzes participants' speech and prosody during the sessions to evaluate emotional responses elicited by the virtual environments.

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Age ≥ 60 years 2. Residence in a long-term care facility for at least 3 months 3. Absence of significant cognitive impairment (MMSE ≥ 21) 4. Able to provide informed consent or have a legal representative who can do so. (5 )Able to remain seated for approximately 20 minutes per session. (6) Willing to participate in 12 VR sessions over four weeks. Exclusion Criteria: 1. Cognitive impairment that prevents understanding instructions or interacting with VR content. 2. Severe psychopathological diagnosis or active psychiatric disorder requiring acute clinical management. 3. Severe sensory impairments. 4. Medical or neurological conditions that contraindicate VR exposure (e.g., uncontrolled epilepsy, severe motion sickness). 5. Acute medical instability or conditions requiring urgent clinical intervention. 6. Any condition judged by clinical staff to pose a safety risk during VR immersion.