Analysis of Key Design Criteria in The Application of Virtual Reality Technology Towards Social Interaction for The Elderly in China

Authors

  • Yan Yan School of Culture Creative, Anhui Finance and Trade Vocational College, Hefei, 231281 Anhui, China
  • Natasha Khalil Program of Quantity Surveying, Faculty of Built Environment, University Teknologi MARA,Perak Branch, 32610 Perak, Malaysia
  • Irwan Mohammad Ali Program of Building Surveying, Faculty of Built Environment, University Teknologi MARA,Perak Branch, 32610 Perak, Malaysia
  • Siti Noorfairus Che Abdullah Department of Applied Art and Design, Kuliyyah of Architecture and Environmental Design, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.24191/bej.v23i1.3716

Keywords:

Ageing Technology, Digital Media, Human-Computer Interaction, Social Interaction Platform, Virtual Reality

Abstract

Virtual Reality (VR) technology holds significant potential for enhancing social interaction among the elderly. It can effectively improve their quality of life and reduce feelings of loneliness. Through VR environments, elderly individuals can participate in various social activities and rehabilitation training, which not only enhances their well-being but also positively impacts their physical and mental health. However, many older adults continue to experience reduced social engagement due to physical limitations and environmental constraints. Research on the specific applications and effects of VR technology on elderly social interaction particularly in China remains limited. This study aims to identify key design criteria for VR-based social interaction platforms utilising Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) tailored for elderly users. Data were collected from 82 participants aged 55–80 in Hefei and Nanjing of China, through an online questionnaire. The study explores user experiences and preferences, as well as strategies for optimising VR platforms for elderly social engagement. Findings indicate that effective VR platforms must incorporate optimised design elements, content features, and service components to promote usability and sustained engagement. The results offer valuable insights for VR platform designers, developers, operators, and end users, guiding the initial planning and ongoing improvement of such platforms. Additionally, the study highlights the influence of operational strategies on long-term platform success.

Author Biographies

  • Yan Yan, School of Culture Creative, Anhui Finance and Trade Vocational College, Hefei, 231281 Anhui, China

    Yan Yan is a PhD student at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM), a lecturer in Anhui Vocational College of Finance and Trade, China, mainly studying architectural interior design and intelligent home equipment. She has published many articles in the journal of Hefei University of Technology> China Teacher> Contemporary Technology and other journals. You can contact her through email 37859954@qq.com

  • Natasha Khalil, Program of Quantity Surveying, Faculty of Built Environment, University Teknologi MARA,Perak Branch, 32610 Perak, Malaysia

    Natasha Khalil is an Associate Professor in the Program of Quantity Surveying, College of Built Environment Studies in Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Perak Branch, Seri Iskandar, Perak. She holds a PhD in Building Science & Performance from Universiti Malaya, Malaysia. Her research expertise is Building Performance Evaluation, Facilities Management, Green Procurement in Construction, Risk Management, and Indoor Environmental Performance and Post Occupancy Evaluation. She has published more than 90 publications in several high-impact indexed journals. Her Email is the natas582@uitm.edu.my

  • Irwan Mohammad Ali, Program of Building Surveying, Faculty of Built Environment, University Teknologi MARA,Perak Branch, 32610 Perak, Malaysia

    Irwan Mohammad Ali is a senior lecturer at the Department of Built Environment Studies and Technology, College of Built Environment, Universiti Teknologi MARA Perak Branch. He has been working as an academician since 2012 and previously acting as Coordinator of the Industrial, Community, and Alumni Network. His research interests include Knowledge Management, Facilities Management, and Building Services Engineering. He can be reached through his email address irwan9471@uitm.edu.my

  • Siti Noorfairus Che Abdullah, Department of Applied Art and Design, Kuliyyah of Architecture and Environmental Design, International Islamic University Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

    Siti Noorfairus Che Abdullah is a lecturer in Interior Architecture at IIUM with a PhD in Built Environment and a Bachelor of Interior Architecture (Hons) from UiTM.Expertise focuses on building performance and sustainable interior design. Skilled in mixed-method research, PLS-SEM, qualitative studies, and core interior design software. Her Email is noorfairus@iium.edu.my

References

Arlati, S., Colombo, V., Spoladore, D., Greci, L., Pedroli, E., Serino, S., Cipresso, P., Goulene, K., Stramba-Badiale, M., Riva, G., Gaggioli, A., Ferrigno, G., & Sacco, M. (2019). A social virtual reality-based application for the physical and cognitive training of the elderly at home. Sensors (Switzerland), 19(2). https://doi.org/10.3390/s19020261

Bowen, M., & Wen, Y. (2021). Research on the old-age suitability of new media from the perspective of aged communication - Take smart phones, TikTok and other APPs for example. Media Observation, 08, 74–79. https://doi.org/10.19480/j.cnki.cmgc.2021.08.006

Chen, L. (2023). Design Suitable for Aging App in the Context of Digital Media. Wireless Internet Technology, 57–61. https://kns.cnki.net/kcms2/article/abstract?v=BVV9sVd_tjGFEDjS0x1ftgnWGj7rNM8R1JkQRKa-reolXq2NJjvGTSTDXwRFkIXH1F5B2uBU2aYok83-5t9aPNQvolD4Lezv3S4TghePlxhtQakUMvQbnFqoLGZKR9WEPm_JbHJcgNrztOa08V8DBi3FTebLSv_MSyVhaYCJvE7eviUV5Coaig==&uniplatform=NZKPT&language=CHS

Choi, J., Moon, H., & Park, M. (2023). What factors influence continuous usage intention of head-mounted display-based virtual reality content? : a cross-sectional survey. Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing, 29(3), 208–218. https://doi.org/10.4069/kjwhn.2023.09.11.02

Creswell, J. W., & Creswell, J. D. (2018). Research design: Qualitative, quantitative, and mixed method approaches (5th ed.). SAGE Publications. https://www.ucg.ac.me/skladiste/blog_609332/objava_105202/fajlovi/Creswell.pdf

Czaja, S. J., Charness, N., Fisk, A. D., Hertzog, C., Nair, S. N., Rogers, W. A., & Sharit, J. (2006). Factors Predicting the Use of Technology: Findings from the Center for Research and Education on Aging and Technology Enhancement (CREATE). In Psychol Aging (Vol. 21, Issue 2). https://doi.org/10.1037/0882-7974.21.2.333

Feng, X., & Murakami, M. (2021). The Combination of Narrative News and VR Games: Comparison of Various Forms of News Games. 203–217. https://doi.org/10.5121/csit.2021.111516

Fisk, A. D., Czaja, S. J., Rogers, W. A., Charness, N., & Sharit, J. (2009). Designing for older adults: Principles and Creative Human Factors Approaches (2nd ed.). CRC Press. https://doi.org/10.1201/9781420080681

Fu, Y., Li, C., Yu, F. R., Luan, T. H., Zhao, P., & Liu, S. (2022). A survey of blockchain and intelligent networking for the metaverse. IEEE Internet of Things Journal, 10(4), 3587–3610. https://doi.org/10.1109/jiot.2022.3222521

Guttentag, D. A. (2010). Virtual reality: Applications and implications for tourism. Tourism Management, 31(5), 637–651. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tourman.2009.07.003

Henri, F., & Pudelko, B. (2003). Understanding and analysing activity and learning in virtual communities. Journal of Computer Assisted Learning, 19(4), 474–487. https://doi.org/10.1046/j.0266-4909.2003.00051.x

Holdack, E. (2021). Experiencing virtual reality in retail: Extending the acceptance model for VR hardware towards VR experiences. https://ssrn.com/abstract=3876097

Huygelier, H., Schraepen, B., van Ee, R., Vanden Abeele, V., & Gillebert, C. R. (2019). Acceptance of immersive head-mounted virtual reality in older adults. Scientific Reports, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-019-41200-6

Jeng, M., Pai, F., & Yeh, T. M. (2017). The virtual reality leisure activities experience on elderly people. Applied Research in Quality of Life, 12(1), 49–65. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11482-016-9452-0

Kathuria, S., Rawat, P., Singh, R., Gehlot, A., Kathuria, A., & Pandey, S. (2022). Technical Intercession of Mixed Reality 4.0: Upholding Senior Citizens Health. 5th International Conference on Contemporary Computing and Informatics (IC3I), 1733–1737. https://doi.org/10.1109/ic3i56241.2022.10072549

Lee, L. N., Kim, M. J., & Hwang, W. J. (2019). Potential of augmented reality and virtual reality technologies to promote wellbeing in older adults. In Applied Sciences (Switzerland) (Vol. 9, Issue 17). MDPI AG. https://doi.org/10.3390/app9173556

Li, L. (2004). Human-machine interface design (J. Ba, Ed.; 1st ed.). Beijing Science Press.

Lin, L. (2023). Analysis of Age-Appropriate Smart Home Health Products Design Strategies under the Perspective of Situational. Design, 08(04), 2757–2767. https://doi.org/10.12677/Design.2023.84337

Liu, T., Liu, Z., Qian, P., Xuan, R., Wang, J., & Chai, Y. (2018). Application of Virtual Reality in Rehabilitation of Special Populations. Journal of System Simulation, 30(9), 3229–3237. https://doi.org/10.16182/j.issn1004731x.joss.201809001

Lowood, H. E. (2024). virtual reality. In Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/technology/virtual-reality

Ma Xinyue, S. W. (2017). The Value Logic and Action Strategy of VR / AR Technology in The Field of Vocational Education. Chinese Vocational and Technical Education, 30, 42–47. https://kns.cnki.net/kcms2/article/abstract?v=BVV9sVd_tjG_0FuOvNG4mI90hMqS2hb9LHoXVv91BwMzaNyPSTwxKvmQ_H9qx-ui7tMzmfGV0W9R1sFPLZ1lQYGIzs-FylL9twhBBBwO2g3AARM4TrFulO0SsoRVBucEczGAUEUFg5mCjGrIHlCfue64QzkoV_bdZaBcqpuLesYSvuiIN1yMzA==&uniplatform=NZKPT&language=CHS

Nanjing Municipal Bureau of Statistics. (2024). Statistical communiqué of Nanjing on the 2023 national economic and social development. Retrieved from http://tjj.nanjing.gov.cn/

Perforce. (n.d.). VR Content Creation: How It Works. https://Www.Perforce.Com/.

Qian Yuxing, L. H. Z. W. (2021). The Predicament and Countermeasures of the Elderly-Oriented Online Community Information Services: Lessons from the Shutdown of “Yinling.com.” Academic Focus, 02, 68–109. https://doi.org/10.13366/j.dik.2021.02.068

Qiu Junping, C. Y. (2008). Empirical Study on the Measurement of University W ebsite’s Ease of Use Based on Exterior User. Information Science, 26(11). https://kns.cnki.net/kcms2/article/abstract?v=BVV9sVd_tjESSa83gdsk622qU4n6GPnl4r_-Yu-yk2c8U7QTXrGdJqIruXVsQPvcpNv3VtJAc13X1IvxcXj7EEabxL-6qHjcSBN7oOAtWHMMcJpvfV_ltRLd7t73HM8DBwo1kmxhF3vq91_T4AO4uQS9uaQyTlL3obh7egd8uoubhk9C44UsFA==&uniplatform=NZKPT&language=CHS

Rheingold, H. (1993). A slice of life in my virtual community. In The virtual community: Homesteading on the electronic frontier. https://www.rheingold.com/vc/book/3.html

Rong, Z., Jiarui, G., (2023). Framework Design Research of Virtual Reality Technology and Social-Emotional Learning. Journal of Distance Education, 3, 1672–0008. https://doi.org/10.15881/j.cnki.cn33-1304/g4.2023.03.009

Shao, D., & Lee, I. J. (2020). Acceptance and influencing factors of social virtual reality in the urban elderly. Sustainability (Switzerland), 12(22), 1–19. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12229345

Shu, L. (2021). How do senior Hong Kong citizens integrate into the digital world: an active aging perspective. Distance Education in China, 554(03), 67–75. https://doi.org/10.13541/j.cnki.chinade.2021.03.008

Sussmann, S., & Vanhegan, H. J. (2000). Virtual reality and the tourism product substitution or complement. AIS Electronic Library (AISeL) (Association for Information Systems), 1077–1083. http://aisel.aisnet.org/ecis2000/117

Wenhong, Z. & Yi, C. (2021). Research on Challenges and Strategies of Archiving Social Network Information in the Context of 5G. Intelligence, Information & Sharing, 03, 121–129. https://doi.org/10.13366/j.dik.2021.03.121

Wu Lin, Z. L. (2022). The Level and Function of Digital Technology to Relieve the Spiritual Loneliness of The Elderly. The Level and Function of Digital Technology to Relieve the Spiritual Loneliness of The Elderly, 61(1). https://doi.org/10.19992/j.cnki.1000-2456.2022.01.017

Xiuyun, Y., Damin, H., Xin, L., & Yang, Y. (2013). Analysis of the Construction of Virtual Knowledge Community Based on VR Technology. Journal of Modern Information, 33(1), 47–50. https://doi.org/10.3969/j.issn.1008-0821.2013.01.013

Yan, Y, Z. (2019). Current Situation and Improvement Strategies of Internet Security Literacy for Middle-aged and Aged People-Based on Research in Luoyang, Henan Province. Guangdong University of Foreign Languages. https://doi.org/10.27032/d.cnki.ggdwu.2019.000295

Yang, H., Lee, H., & Zo, H. (2017). User acceptance of smart home services: An extension of the theory of planned behavior. Industrial Management and Data Systems, 117(1), 68–89. https://doi.org/10.1108/IMDS-01-2016-0017

You, Y., & Cho, T. Y. (2023). Research on the Happiness Experience Structure of Elderly People in Metaverse. JOURNAL OF THE KOREAN SOCIETY DESIGN CULTURE, 29(2), 339–353. https://doi.org/10.18208/ksdc.2023.29.2.339

Yu-Huan, Y., Supervisor, D., & Jiang, Y. (2022). Research on the Design of Senior Traveling Experience Product Based on VR Technology. Changzhou University. https://doi.org/10.27739/d.cnki.gjsgy.2022.000042

Yuanrong, L. (2023). The use of VR technology to carry out research on social services for elderly education. Engineering Technology Research, 8(23), 160–162. https://doi.org/10.19537/j.cnki.2096-2789.2023.23.052

Yuxing, Q., Hao, L., Zhenni, N., Wenxuan, G. (2021). The Predicament and Countermeasures of the Elderly-Oriented Online Community Information Services: Lessons from the Shutdown of “Yinling.com.” Academic Focus, 02, 68–109. https://doi.org/10.13366/j.dik.2021.02.068

Zhang, M. (2005). Distributed virtual reality system and its applications. Science Press.

Downloads

Published

01-01-2026

Issue

Vol. 23 No. 1 (2026): Built Environment Journal

Section

Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2025 Yan Yan, Natasha Khalil, Irwan Mohammad Ali, Siti Noorfairus Che Abdullah

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 DEED

Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 4.0 International

 

How to Cite

Analysis of Key Design Criteria in The Application of Virtual Reality Technology Towards Social Interaction for The Elderly in China. (2026). Built Environment Journal, 23(1). https://doi.org/10.24191/bej.v23i1.3716

Similar Articles

1-10 of 110

You may also start an advanced similarity search for this article.