Virtual Reality Reminiscence Therapy for MCI and Dementia: Effects and Trends—A Narrative Review

Abstract

Virtual reality–based reminiscence therapy (VR-RT) leverages immersive autobiographical recall with multisensory and social features as a non-pharmacological option for older adults with MCI or dementia. This narrative review synthesized eight studies (N=177; 2019–2022) across Asia, Europe, and Oceania/North America, spanning RCTs, longitudinal, and exploratory designs. Psychological outcomes were consistently favorable—depression/anxiety decreased while morale, well-being, and social participation improved—with high acceptability and minimal adverse events; engagement and usability were strongest with personalized content and supportive onboarding. Cognitive effects were heterogeneous: several studies showed maintenance or short-term gains, others found no advantage over traditional reminiscence, and one longitudinal study suggested stabilization during intervention with post-cessation decline. Overall, VR-RT appears safe, feasible, and promising for mood and social connectedness, with preliminary evidence for cognitive stabilization but no uniform superiority; larger multi-site RCTs with active controls, longer follow-up, multidimensional and mechanism-focused outcomes, cost-effectiveness analyses, and designs emphasizing personalization, multisensory/media integration, social-VR, and ergonomic, low-load interaction are needed. In parallel, this review aims to chart emerging development trends and future directions for VR-RT.