AUTHOR=Sadowski Isabel , Khoury Bassam TITLE=Nature-based mindfulness-compassion programs using virtual reality for older adults: A narrative literature review JOURNAL=Frontiers in Virtual Reality VOLUME=3 YEAR=2022 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/virtual-reality/articles/10.3389/frvir.2022.892905 DOI=10.3389/frvir.2022.892905 ISSN=2673-4192 ABSTRACT=
The global population is aging at an unprecedented rate, increasing the necessity for effective interventions targeting the mental health needs of older adults. Technology addressing the aging process of older adults (i.e., gerontechnology) is an avenue for the efficient delivery of programs that enhance adult well-being. Virtual reality (VR) is a type of gerontechnology with the potential to improve mental health and well-being (e.g., by increasing resilience, mindfulness, compassion, connection with nature, and decreasing stress, depression, anxiety); however, evidence in this area is currently lacking and more rigorous research on the acceptability, feasibility, and effectiveness of mental health programming