NCT07443657

Nature Exposure Through Virtual Reality (NET-VR) in Older Adults

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 30 (actual)
• Sponsor: Universitat Internacional de Catalunya · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 60 Years – 90 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

Daily exposure to nature is associated with improved mood and reduced anxiety symptoms in the overall population. Even brief contact with natural environments can lower stress and restore productivity.However, access to natural environments is often limited, particularly for urban and institutionalized older adults, due to physical, financial, and logistical barriers.These challenges highlight the need for new technologies that can facilitate more regular contact with nature. Virtual Reality (VR)-a digital technology that creates realistic scenes and objects to simulate the experience of being in a natural environment-offers a promising solution, particularly for older adults with physical or financial limitations.The aim of this study is to explore how both older adults might benefit from a mental health program that uses virtual reality to simulate exposure to nature.

Detailed description

This study aims to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of a virtual reality (VR) system featuring nature-based environments to improve emotional well-being, reduce psychological distress, and enhance cognitive functioning in older adults. To achieve this, participants will be assigned to one of two groups: an experimental group that will receive the nature-based VR intervention, and a control group placed on a waiting list. The intervention is expected to have a positive impact on self-reported measures such as mindful awareness, anxiety, depression and cognitive functions (particularly attention and executive functioning) Additionally, usability-related aspects of the technology-such as presence, ease of use, and cybersickness-will also be assessed. A total of 30 participants will be recruited (aged 60 to 90). Participation is voluntary and will take place at the International University of Catalonia (UIC Barcelona), through face-to-face group sessions. The intervention will span 5 weeks, with two 30-minute session per week. Participants will use a VR headset to explore immersive natural environments (e.g., tropical islands, forests, snowy landscapes) via the Nature Treks VR software. Each session will follow a structured protocol with three stages: a training stage, a personalization stage, and a final immersive relaxation stage. Before enrollment, participants will undergo an eligibility screening to ensure they meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria, particularly regarding mental and cognitive health. Group allocation will be randomized, and outcome assessments will be conducted by blinded evaluators to reduce bias. This study aims to contribute new evidence on the psychological and cognitive benefits of nature-based VR interventions and their usability across different age groups, supporting the development of accessible and innovative tools for mental health and well-being.

Conditions

• Distress, Psychological
• Negative Affect
• Cognitive Functioning
• Older Adults

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Nature-Based Virtual Reality Intervention	This intervention uses the commercially available Nature-Trek VR software to immerse participants in diverse natural environments through a virtual reality headset. It is delivered face-to-face in small groups, supervised by a mental health expert, over 5 weeks with twice-weekly 30-minute sessions. The intervention includes a training session, customization of the VR nature environment, and a relaxation immersion stage. It specifically targets reduction of psychological distress and enhancement of cognitive functioning in both young and older adults.
OTHER	Waiting list	Participants assigned to the waiting list arm will not receive the VR intervention during the initial 5-week study period and will continue their usual daily routines without any study-related intervention. After the study period, they will be offered the opportunity to experience a single VR session

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-10-09
• Primary completion: 2025-12-30
• Completion: 2025-12-30
• First posted: 2026-03-02
• Last updated: 2026-03-02

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Spain