Mapping the evidence on virtual reality for dementia caregivers: a scoping review

Virtual reality (VR) is increasingly recognized as a promising tool for healthcare training, yet its application in dementia caregiver education remains an emerging field. Despite growing interest, few reviews have systematically mapped how VR interventions are used to support both formal and informal caregivers. This scoping review aims to synthesize current evidence on VR-based dementia care training and to identify how VR contributes to caregiver knowledge, skills, empathy, and preparedness. Seventeen studies were included, encompassing diverse caregiver populations such as family caregivers, certified nursing assistants, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, with sample sizes ranging from 10 to 223 participants. Study designs varied and included pre-post studies (n = 3), randomized controlled trials (n = 3), non-randomized controlled trials (n = 1), feasibility pilot studies (n = 1), quasi-experimental designs (n = 4), qualitative studies (n = 3), and post-test-only designs (n = 2). Research was conducted across the United States, Ireland, Australia, South Korea, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom. VR interventions included the Virtual Dementia Tour, Into D'mentia, Through the D'ementia Lens, 360° VR films, and A Walk-Through Dementia, reflecting substantial variation in content and delivery formats. Overall, the evidence indicates that VR is an engaging and impactful educational modality that enhances caregivers' empathy, dementia-related knowledge, and care competence. These findings highlight VR's potential as a valuable complement to traditional dementia care training. However, methodological variability, limited long-term follow-up, and inconsistent outcome measures underscore the need for more rigorous and standardized research to inform best practices and guide implementation across diverse caregiving contexts.