SynthesisFrontiers in public health2026
The effects of virtual reality training on cognitive function in older adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Synthesis in Frontiers in public health, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper, 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
1 citing paper in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.
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
Objectives: Virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a promising non-pharmacological approach for supporting cognitive health in older adults. However, the overall magnitude of its effects and the extent to which outcomes vary by cognitive status, intervention duration, and immersion level remain uncertain. Methods: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were searched in Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Wanfang Database from database inception to September 24, 2025, without language restrictions. Eligible studies included older adults receiving VR-based training compared with routine rehabilitation, conventional training, no intervention, or non-VR controls. Outcomes were classified as global cognition, TMT-based executive/attention-related performance, and functional mobility. Risk of bias was assessed using the Cochrane RoB 2 tool. Random-effects meta-analyses were conducted using standardized mean differences (SMDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Subgroup analyses were interpreted as exploratory. Results: Ten RCTs involving 749 participants were included. VR-based training significantly improved global cognition (SMD = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.25-0.73, Conclusion: VR-based training may improve global cognition in older adults and may also benefit functional mobility. Evidence for TMT-based executive/attention-related performance remains preliminary. Current evidence is insufficient to support firm conclusions regarding optimal intervention duration, preferred immersion level, or subgroup superiority. Larger, well-designed RCTs with standardized outcome classification and longer follow-up are needed. Systematic review registration: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420251208123, Identifier: CRD420251208123.
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.