Workshop iScan 2025

Virtual reality (VR) has opened new opportunities for studying spatial navigation and memory in aging, while also offering potential for clinical and interventional applications with older adults. From detecting early cognitive changes to developing personalized rehabilitation strategies, VR enables controlled, immersive, and ecologically valid paradigms. However, the use of VR with older populations comes with specific challenges, including usability barriers, sensory limitations, increased susceptibility to cybersickness, and motivational or cognitive differences. This interactive workshop will address these challenges and provide concrete recommendations for designing age-friendly VR paradigms. Drawing on recent evidence and practical experience, we will outline key considerations in hardware setup, interface design, task complexity, and support strategies to optimize usability and engagement for older adults. In addition, participants will be introduced to exemplary immersive VR paradigms tailored for research and interventions in aging. After this workshop, participants will be able to:

1. Identify major challenges in applying VR with older adults.
2. Apply evidence-based recommendations to design age-friendly VR paradigms.
3. Recognize the potential of VR in navigation research and its clinical/interventional 
benefits.
4. Explore immersive VR paradigms developed for studying aging and cognitive 
decline