A Pilot Study of Immersive Virtual Reality Tai Chi Program on Physical and Mental Health Among Older Adults

Abstract

Tai Chi is well-recognized as a recreational therapy intervention that offers significant physical and mental health benefits for older adults. Advances in technology have made Tai Chi accessible through virtual reality, yet there is limited research on the experiences and effects of immersive virtual reality Tai Chi (IVTC) on health outcomes among older adults. Therefore, the purpose of this thesis was to investigate whether IVTC is effective in promoting physical and mental health in this population. Nineteen older adults participated in two weekly 30--40-minute IVTC sessions over four weeks. A paired t-test was conducted to analyze the differences between pre- and post-test results for each participant. The findings revealed significant improvements in balance and reductions in stress levels among the participants. These results suggest that the IVTC program the IVTC program could serve as a promising, technology-driven intervention for older adults at higher risk of falls and mental distress. Furthermore, these findings highlight the need for further research to assess the efficacy of IVTC as a promising approach for diverse populations.