Culturally Familiar Nostalgic VR Cognitive Training for Older Adults

NCT06973551 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: 202503HM026
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 64
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial investigates the effects of a nostalgia-based cognitive training intervention delivered via Virtual Reality (VR) on emotional well-being and cognitive functioning among community-dwelling older adults (≥65 years) in northern Taiwan, specifically targeting those with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or mild dementia. The study, conducted at National Taiwan Normal University, aims to assess whether engaging older adults in nostalgic VR experiences can enhance nostalgia proneness, life satisfaction, and psychological well-being, while also reducing depressive symptoms and improving cognitive functions. Participants who meet inclusion criteria (aged 65+, capable of communicating in Mandarin or Taiwanese, without severe psychiatric conditions, with sufficient vision/hearing) will be randomly assigned to either the experimental group receiving the "Brain Health Nostalgic VR Program" or a control group engaged in routine weekly activities. Each session, scheduled twice weekly, spans 25-35 minutes in total, including setup, support, and breaks, while the actual VR usage time is 15-25 minutes depending on individual tolerance. Research staff will provide close support and safety monitoring during all sessions. Pre- and post-intervention outcomes will be measured using standardized assessments: Southampton Nostalgia Scale (SNS), Short-Form Life Satisfaction Index (LSI-SF), Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS-15), Short-Form Chinese version of Ryff's Psychological Well-being Scale (PWB-18), and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Taiwan Version (MoCA-T). The study emphasizes participant safety and data confidentiality throughout its duration. Findings aim to demonstrate VR's potential as a non-invasive, preventive strategy for cognitive decline and mental health enhancement among older populations.

Conditions

Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI); Dementia; Cognitive Decline; Psychological Well-being

Keywords

Older adults; Mild Cognitive Impairment; Dementia; Cognitive Training; nostalgia-based virtual reality; Aging and Cognitive Health; Virtual Reality Cognitive Training

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Change in Cognitive Function Assessed by MoCA-T

  Cognitive function will be measured using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment - Taiwan Version (MoCA-T), a validated tool for detecting mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and early dementia. The MoCA-T assesses multiple domains including memory, attention, executive function, language, and visuospatial skills. Score range: 0-30 Interpretation: Higher scores indicate better cognitive functioning. For the Taiwanese version, a cutoff score of 23/24 has been suggested as the optimal threshold for distinguishing MCI patients from cognitively normal controls.

  Baseline, post-intervention (up to 8 weeks), and 3 months post-intervention

Secondary Outcomes (4)

• Change in Nostalgia Proneness Assessed by Southampton Nostalgia Scale (SNS)

  Baseline, post-intervention (up to 8 weeks), and 3 months post-intervention

• Change in Depression Symptoms Assessed by GDS-15

  Baseline, post-intervention (up to 8 weeks), and 3 months post-intervention

• Change in Psychological Well-being Assessed by PWB-18

  Baseline, post-intervention (up to 8 weeks), and 3 months post-intervention

• Change in Life Satisfaction Assessed by LSI-SF

  Baseline, post-intervention (up to 8 weeks), and 3 months post-intervention

Study Arms (2)

Nostalgia-Based VR Cognitive Training

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants in this arm will receive the "Brain Health Nostalgic VR Program," a culturally grounded virtual reality intervention integrating nostalgic elements representative of Taiwanese culture (e.g., old photographs, household objects, traditional media, and familiar scenarios) with interactive cognitive training. The training targets seven domains: attention, imagination and creativity, observation, memory, reasoning, reading comprehension, and thinking. Each session spans 25-35 minutes in total, including setup, support, brief reflection, and closure, while the actual VR usage time is 15-25 minutes depending on individual tolerance. The intervention is conducted in 12 sessions, scheduled in principle twice weekly, at the participant's day-care center, with full assistance and monitoring by the research team.

Behavioral: Brain Health Nostalgic VR Program

Routine Weekly Activities

NO INTERVENTION

Participants in this arm will continue with their routine weekly activities provided by their respective long-term care facilities. These activities may include light physical exercise, social engagement, passive entertainment (e.g., watching TV), or unstructured leisure. No structured cognitive training or VR-related content will be administered. This arm serves as a control group for comparison with the experimental group receiving the nostalgia-based VR intervention.

Interventions

Brain Health Nostalgic VR Program BEHAVIORAL

The "Brain Health Nostalgic VR Program" is a culturally tailored virtual reality intervention integrating nostalgic content from Taiwanese culture (e.g., vintage photographs, familiar objects, historical TV clips, traditional settings) with interactive cognitive training tasks. The program targets seven cognitive domains: attention, imagination and creativity, observation, memory, reasoning, reading comprehension, and thinking. Each session spans 25-35 minutes, with 15-25 minutes of actual VR use based on participant tolerance, each participant will use VR for no more than 30 minutes per session before taking a break. Participants receive 12 sessions, scheduled in principle twice weekly. The intervention is delivered individually at the participant's day-care center, with researcher support provided throughout.

Also known as: nostalgia-based virtual reality, Elderly Brain Boosting Nostalgic VR, Nostalgia-Based VR Cognitive Training

Nostalgia-Based VR Cognitive Training

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 65 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Age 65 years or older
• Able to communicate in Mandarin or Taiwanese
• Capable of wearing and operating a VR headset and handheld controllers
• Sufficient vision and hearing to interact with VR content (assistive devices permitted)
• Able to provide informed consent or have a legal guardian provide consent

You may not qualify if:

• Diagnosis of severe dementia or advanced neurodegenerative disease
• Severe psychiatric disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder)
• Major visual or auditory impairments that would interfere with VR use, even with assistive devices
• Unconsciousness, inability to stay awake or focused for the session duration Inability to comply with study protocol or scheduled sessions

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Taiwan Normal University: lead

Study Sites (1)

National Taiwan Normal University

Taipei, Taipei City, 10610, Taiwan

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Cognitive Dysfunction; Dementia; Psychological Well-Being

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Cognition Disorders; Neurocognitive Disorders; Mental Disorders; Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Personal Satisfaction; Behavior

Study Officials

• Jong-Long Guo, PhD

  National Taiwan Normal University

  STUDY CHAIR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Model Details: This study adopts a parallel-group randomized controlled trial design. Eligible participants are randomly assigned to either an experimental group (receiving nostalgia-based VR cognitive training) or a control group (engaging in routine weekly activities without specific intervention). The intervention consists of 12 sessions over 6-8 weeks, with follow-up assessments conducted at 3 months post-intervention, enabling direct comparison of outcomes between groups.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 7, 2025
• First Posted: May 15, 2025
• Study Start: April 29, 2025
• Primary Completion: February 10, 2026
• Study Completion: March 30, 2026
• Last Updated: April 21, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share

Locations

TW (1)