Effects of virtual reality training on bio- and psycho-markers of aging in retired individuals

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of VR-training on bio- and psycho-markers of aging in elderly people. Thirty women aged 56 to 82 years living in Moscow and participating in the Moscow Longevity programme were examined. The following methods were used: diagnostic (self-assessment of subjective age, measurement of aging indicators included in the system of biological age assessment according to V.P. Voitenko, diagnostics of attentiveness and awareness), methods of experimental influence (training session on the development of spiritual resource of personality), mathematical statistics (Wilcoxon's T-criterion). The results show that virtual reality training improves markers of biopsychological age of retirees: it increases the level of mindfulness, reduces heart rate and increases static balancing time. Although VR training did not have a statistically significant effect on measures of psychological age and blood pressure, the overall findings emphasise the importance and potential utility of virtual reality training for older adults in the context of slowing ageing and improving quality of life. Further research with larger samples and longer follow-up periods is required to fully evaluate the effectiveness of these exercises.