Effect of Immersive Virtual Reality Reminiscence versus Traditional Reminiscence Therapy on Cognitive Function and Psychological Well-being among Older Adults in Assisted Living Facilities: A randomized controlled trial

•The study's findings indicated that immersive VR reminiscence was highly successful in improving cognitive function and psychological well-being among older adults, and its efficacy exceeded that of traditional RT.•The VR group showed significant improvements in cognitive function, as measured by the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), immediately after the interventions and at a follow-up evaluation after three months. VR reminiscence was also found to positively impact older adults' psychological well-being, as measured by the Reminiscence Psychological Well-Being Scale (RPWBS).•The success of VR interventions can be attributed to VR's realistic immersion and interaction, the stimulation of memory through recalling events and experiences, and the strengthening of neural connections in the brain.•Traditional RT also improved cognitive function and psychological well-being, but VR reminiscence showed higher efficacy.•The study recommends incorporating VR reminiscence into routine care for older adults in elderly homes and calls for further research to understand the underlying mechanisms of how VR improves cognitive and psychological well-being. Virtual reality (VR) reminiscence is an innovative strategy that integrates technology into the care of older adults. Limited research was conducted to compare the role of VR reminiscence and traditional RT in improving older adults' cognitive and psychological well-being. Investigate the effect of virtual reality reminiscence versus traditional reminiscence therapy on cognitive function and psychological well-being among older adults in assisted living facilities. A randomized controlled trial research design was followed. Sixty older adults were recruited and randomly assigned to three equal groups (20 older adults for each group). Post interventions, a significant increase in the mean scores of cognitive function and psychological well-being was evident among the VR and RT groups with statistically significant differences (P