Research on the Application of Immersive Virtual Reality Intervention Model (IVRT) in the Context of Computer Anxiety Among the Older Adults

• Published in: Computer animation and virtual worlds Vol. 36; no. 3
• Main Authors: Zhang, Bo, Shi, HuiPing, Gu, MengJiao
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken, USA John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.05.2025; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Adults; Anxiety; Cognitive ability; ECA; Effectiveness; Immersive virtual reality; IVRT; Modules; Older people; User experience; Virtual reality
• ISSN: 1546-4261; 1546-427X
• DOI: 10.1002/cav.70059

ABSTRACT Elderly Computer Anxiety (ECA) often arises when older adults use digital tools, as it is a psychological condition influenced by both cognitive and functional impairments. Despite the widespread application of immersive virtual reality (IVR) technologies in enhancing cognitive abilities, their potential for addressing ECA remains underexplored. This study proposes an Immersive Virtual Reality Training (IVRT) model grounded in user experience(UX) design to comprehensively alleviate computer anxiety among older adults. The model integrates four interconnected modules: experience, training, socialization, and interaction. Each module is tailored to older adults, leveraging UX principles to enhance usability, foster engagement, and facilitate practical application through immersive VR. This paper conducted a randomized controlled trial involving 80 elderly individuals aged 65 to 85 to validate its effectiveness. Results showed significant reductions in anxiety levels within the IVRT group: Technophobia Scale (TS) scores decreased by an average of 0.49 points, and Gerontological Computer Anxiety Scale (GCAS) scores decreased by an average of 52.68 points, representing a 12.7% reduction (p < 0.05). These findings demonstrate that the IVRT model is significantly effective in reducing computer anxiety. It provides a solid foundation for developing immersive intervention measures tailored to older adults, better supporting their adaptation to the digital age. The Immersive Virtual Reality Training (IVRT) model presents an innovative framework for alleviating Elderly Computer Anxiety (ECA). The model integrates User Experience (UX) design principles through four interconnected modules—experience, training, socialization, and interaction—tailored to enhance elderly individuals' adaptability to digital tools, increasing their engagement and practical application abilities. The innovation lies in combining immersive virtual reality with UX design to offer an interactive and intuitive anxiety reduction experience for older adults. Results from a randomized controlled trial demonstrate the model's high efficacy in significantly reducing computer anxiety among the elderly.