ArticleJMIR aging2025
Research Status and Trends in Virtual Reality Technology for Older Adults: Bibliometric and Visual Analysis.
Article in JMIR aging, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
What it found
Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.
The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.
The trial behind it
Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.
Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.
Who cites it
2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
- Virtual Reality-Based Cognitive Training to Prevent Cognitive Decline in Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.Geriatrics & gerontology international · 2026Pooled it
- Mapping Research on Virtual Reality for Balance, Coordination, and Motor Rehabilitation: A Bibliometric Analysis with Topic Modeling.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2026Review
Corrections and comments
PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.
Authors and funding
3 authors.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
Background: Virtual reality (VR) technology is increasingly applied in aging-related research. Although existing bibliometric studies have focused on specific applications, such as older adults' acceptance of VR and its use in cognitive rehabilitation, no comprehensive mapping of the global research landscape on VR for older populations has been conducted. This study fills this gap by providing a holistic bibliometric and thematic analysis of VR applications in older adults, mapping research trends, intellectual structures, and emerging frontiers. Objective: This study aims to explore the current applications, potential benefits, and future directions of virtual reality technology for older adults, based on literature published between January 1, 2015, and April 30, 2025. Methods: This study used bibliometric methods to systematically examine the current status and developmental trends in VR research for older adults. We searched the Web of Science Core Collection for research articles and reviews published in English. A total of 1609 publications were included in the final analysis. Using CiteSpace and VOSviewer, we conducted coauthorship network analysis, keyword clustering, and burst detection to map research hot spots, academic collaboration patterns, and emerging trends in the field. Results: Our analysis of 1609 publications revealed a steady growth in the application of VR technology for older adults. The predominant research areas included meta-analysis, rehabilitation, dementia, and gait. The United States and China were the two most productive countries, with Tel Aviv University emerging as the leading institution. Frontiers in Aging Neuroscience and Applied Sciences Basel were the most prolific journals, each publishing 40 papers. The most cited article evaluated the effects of VR-based physical and cognitive training on executive function and dual-task gait performance in older adults with mild cognitive impairment. Emerging research themes include artificial intelligence, association, and depression. Conclusions: VR research for older adults is rapidly expanding and globally collaborative. Although applications span multiple geriatric domains, future efforts should prioritize mental health, disease integration, and artificial intelligence-enhanced VR technologies.
Indexed as
Identifiers
What Socratic holds
Registered trials
Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.