The present study investigates the impact of Reminiscence Therapy integrated with Virtual Reality on the emotional well-being and quality of life of older adults with cognitive impairment. The aim is to evaluate whether the immersive experience offered by virtual reality, allowing more vivid and engaging access to autobiographical memories, can enhance the positive effects of traditional reminiscence, particularly on mood and depressive symptoms.
The research was conducted in two phases: a theoretical in-depth study, based on the consultation of international scientific literature and specialized manuals, and an experimental phase. The latter involved 54 participants, divided into three groups: an experimental group (reminiscence therapy with virtual reality), an active control group (traditional reminiscence therapy) and a passive control group (daytime and standard activities). The design adopted was mixed with pre and post-intervention evaluations using standardized tools.
The results indicate that the experimental group experienced a significant improvement in mood, a reduction in depressive symptoms, and an increase in perceived quality of life, especially in the emotional and relational domains. Progress in language abilities and spatio-temporal orientation also emerged, while memory skills remained stable.
Despite the limitations related to sample size and intervention duration, the findings support the initial hypothesis: virtual reality, when integrated with reminiscence therapy, facilitates deeper recall of memories and amplifies the benefits on emotional wellbeing and quality of life. This suggests that the synergy between reminiscence and virtual reality represents a promising therapeutic frontier in the psychology of aging.