VR&R: Providing Caregiver Respite by Managing BPSDs and Improving QoL in People with Dementia Using Immersive VR-Therapy
NCT ID: NCT05867641
Last Updated: 2025-03-28
Study Results
The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.
Basic Information
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RECRUITING
NA
50 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
2025-02-12
2027-02-01
Brief Summary
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The main question it aims to answer are:
1. Can caregivers receive quality respite time by using VR-therapy at home with their loved ones with dementia? Does this intervention reduce feelings of burden and improve well-being and resilience for caregivers?
2. Does VR-therapy help to manage behavioural and psychological symptoms (e.g., mood, apathy, agitation) and improve quality of life for individuals with dementia?
3. What types of VR "medium" (passive or cooperative) are most effective for achieving the above objectives?
Participant pairs will be asked to:
* Take part in an initial at-home VR technology training session and complete a series of brief questionnaires (e.g., health history/technology use, well-being/quality of life, symptoms of dementia)
* Use "VR\&R" (VR Rest \& Relaxation Therapy) for a period of 4 weeks (30 minute sessions, desired frequency), and answer a brief set of questions after each VR\&R session
* Provide feedback on the VR\&R intervention in semi-structured interview with the researcher and answer additional questionnaires at a 2-week follow-up
During VR\&R sessions, participants with dementia will have the opportunity to choose to watch (1) immersive 360-degree videos (e.g., of a live performance, or beach) on their own and (2) experience the same VR videos together with a researcher.
Caregivers will be asked to assist their loved one with dementia to use VR\&R by helping to put on the VR headset, selecting a VR experience through a user-friendly application, and remaining nearby to supervise and provide assistance as needed. During VR\&R sessions, caregivers may use this time to take a personal break or complete short tasks (e.g., make a cup of coffee, have an uninterrupted phone call).
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Detailed Description
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Conditions
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Study Design
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RANDOMIZED
CROSSOVER
TREATMENT
NONE
Study Groups
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VR&R Therapy - Solo First
Recruited dyads will include one person diagnosed with dementia and their caregiver (e.g., family/friend). The caregiver will assist their loved ones with dementia to use VR-therapy at home. Caregivers may use the time while their loved ones are engaged for respite, remaining nearby to supervise and assist.
For the first two weeks, only the caregiver will be present to use VR with the person with dementia. For the following two weeks, a research assistant will be present to use VR with the person with dementia.
Immersive VR Therapy in Head-Mounted Display (HMD) (Solo)
Caregivers will be trained to administer VR\&R therapy to their loved ones with dementia, in their private home/residence. Participants with dementia will view immersive VR experiences using a commercially-available VR head-mounted device for up to 30 minutes a time, approximately every other day (or as desired), for two weeks. The caregiver will use the custom application on a tablet to select and monitor what their loved one sees in VR.
Staying nearby to monitor for safety and assistance, the caregiver may choose to use the time when their loved one is engaged to take some respite time for themselves (e.g., make a cup of coffee, have an uninterrupted phone call).
Immersive VR Therapy in a Head-Mounted Display (HMD) (Social)
Participants with dementia will view immersive VR experiences using a commercially-available VR head-mounted device for up to 30 minutes a time, 2 to 3 times per week, for 2 weeks. A research assistant who is trained in dementia care will use the custom application on a tablet to select and monitor what their loved one sees in VR.
Staying nearby to monitor for safety and assistance, the caregiver may choose to use the time when their loved one is engaged to take some respite time for themselves (e.g., make a cup of coffee, have an uninterrupted phone call).
VR&R Therapy - Social First
Recruited dyads will include one person diagnosed with dementia and their caregiver (e.g., family/friend). The caregiver will assist their loved ones with dementia to use VR-therapy at home. Caregivers may use the time while their loved ones are engaged for respite, remaining nearby to supervise and assist.
For the first two weeks, a research assistant will be present to use VR with the person with dementia. For the following two weeks, only the caregiver will be present.
Immersive VR Therapy in Head-Mounted Display (HMD) (Solo)
Caregivers will be trained to administer VR\&R therapy to their loved ones with dementia, in their private home/residence. Participants with dementia will view immersive VR experiences using a commercially-available VR head-mounted device for up to 30 minutes a time, approximately every other day (or as desired), for two weeks. The caregiver will use the custom application on a tablet to select and monitor what their loved one sees in VR.
Staying nearby to monitor for safety and assistance, the caregiver may choose to use the time when their loved one is engaged to take some respite time for themselves (e.g., make a cup of coffee, have an uninterrupted phone call).
Immersive VR Therapy in a Head-Mounted Display (HMD) (Social)
Participants with dementia will view immersive VR experiences using a commercially-available VR head-mounted device for up to 30 minutes a time, 2 to 3 times per week, for 2 weeks. A research assistant who is trained in dementia care will use the custom application on a tablet to select and monitor what their loved one sees in VR.
Staying nearby to monitor for safety and assistance, the caregiver may choose to use the time when their loved one is engaged to take some respite time for themselves (e.g., make a cup of coffee, have an uninterrupted phone call).
Interventions
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Immersive VR Therapy in Head-Mounted Display (HMD) (Solo)
Caregivers will be trained to administer VR\&R therapy to their loved ones with dementia, in their private home/residence. Participants with dementia will view immersive VR experiences using a commercially-available VR head-mounted device for up to 30 minutes a time, approximately every other day (or as desired), for two weeks. The caregiver will use the custom application on a tablet to select and monitor what their loved one sees in VR.
Staying nearby to monitor for safety and assistance, the caregiver may choose to use the time when their loved one is engaged to take some respite time for themselves (e.g., make a cup of coffee, have an uninterrupted phone call).
Immersive VR Therapy in a Head-Mounted Display (HMD) (Social)
Participants with dementia will view immersive VR experiences using a commercially-available VR head-mounted device for up to 30 minutes a time, 2 to 3 times per week, for 2 weeks. A research assistant who is trained in dementia care will use the custom application on a tablet to select and monitor what their loved one sees in VR.
Staying nearby to monitor for safety and assistance, the caregiver may choose to use the time when their loved one is engaged to take some respite time for themselves (e.g., make a cup of coffee, have an uninterrupted phone call).
Other Intervention Names
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria
* Individuals living at home with a family caregiver
* Individuals diagnosed with dementia
* Individuals who identify as a primary caregiver for the PwD
* Individuals who have access to the internet through a device (computer, tablet, or mobile phone) that can be used during the study
Exclusion Criteria
* Individuals with a history of seizures or epilepsy
* Individuals with a pacemaker
* Individuals with head trauma or stroke leading to their current admission
* Individuals with cervical conditions or injuries that would make it unsafe for them to use the VR headset
* Individuals who identify as being legally blind
* Individuals with alcohol related dementia/ Korsakoff syndrome.
* Individuals who have a Public Guardian and Trustee (PGT) as Substitute Decision Maker (SDM)
* Individuals who cannot speak and understand English
* Individuals who cannot speak and understand English
* Individuals who are cognitively unable to provide informed consent for themselves
* Identify as legally blind
65 Years
ALL
No
Sponsors
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Centre for Aging and Brain Health Innovation
OTHER
Ontario AHSC AFP Innovation Fund
UNKNOWN
Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)
OTHER_GOV
University Health Network, Toronto
OTHER
Responsible Party
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Lora Appel
Associate Professor
Locations
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Acclaim Health
Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Chester Village
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Circle of Care
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Toronto Grace Hospital - Main Site
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Toronto Grace Hospital - Remote Care Monitoring
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Toronto Grace Hospital - Specialized Care Centre
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
McGill Dementia Education Centre
Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Countries
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Central Contacts
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Facility Contacts
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References
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Anderson-Hanley C, Arciero PJ, Brickman AM, Nimon JP, Okuma N, Westen SC, Merz ME, Pence BD, Woods JA, Kramer AF, Zimmerman EA. Exergaming and older adult cognition: a cluster randomized clinical trial. Am J Prev Med. 2012 Feb;42(2):109-19. doi: 10.1016/j.amepre.2011.10.016.
Appel L, Appel E, Bogler O, Wiseman M, Cohen L, Ein N, Abrams HB, Campos JL. Older Adults With Cognitive and/or Physical Impairments Can Benefit From Immersive Virtual Reality Experiences: A Feasibility Study. Front Med (Lausanne). 2020 Jan 15;6:329. doi: 10.3389/fmed.2019.00329. eCollection 2019.
Appel L, Kisonas E, Appel E, Klein J, Bartlett D, Rosenberg J, Smith C. Introducing virtual reality therapy for inpatients with dementia admitted to an acute care hospital: learnings from a pilot to pave the way to a randomized controlled trial. Pilot Feasibility Stud. 2020 Oct 31;6(1):166. doi: 10.1186/s40814-020-00708-9.
Appel L, Kisonas E, Appel E, Klein J, Bartlett D, Rosenberg J, Smith CN. Administering Virtual Reality Therapy to Manage Behavioral and Psychological Symptoms in Patients With Dementia Admitted to an Acute Care Hospital: Results of a Pilot Study. JMIR Form Res. 2021 Feb 3;5(2):e22406. doi: 10.2196/22406.
Appel L, Ali S, Narag T, Mozeson K, Pasat Z, Orchanian-Cheff A, Campos JL. Virtual reality to promote wellbeing in persons with dementia: A scoping review. J Rehabil Assist Technol Eng. 2021 Dec 21;8:20556683211053952. doi: 10.1177/20556683211053952. eCollection 2021 Jan-Dec.
Baker JR, Webster L, Lynn N, Rogers J, Belcher J. Intergenerational Programs May Be Especially Engaging for Aged Care Residents With Cognitive Impairment: Findings From the Avondale Intergenerational Design Challenge. Am J Alzheimers Dis Other Demen. 2017 Jun;32(4):213-221. doi: 10.1177/1533317517703477.
D'Cunha NM, Nguyen D, Naumovski N, McKune AJ, Kellett J, Georgousopoulou EN, Frost J, Isbel S. A Mini-Review of Virtual Reality-Based Interventions to Promote Well-Being for People Living with Dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment. Gerontology. 2019;65(4):430-440. doi: 10.1159/000500040. Epub 2019 May 20.
Dermody G, Whitehead L, Wilson G, Glass C. The Role of Virtual Reality in Improving Health Outcomes for Community-Dwelling Older Adults: Systematic Review. J Med Internet Res. 2020 Jun 1;22(6):e17331. doi: 10.2196/17331.
Huygelier H, Schraepen B, van Ee R, Vanden Abeele V, Gillebert CR. Acceptance of immersive head-mounted virtual reality in older adults. Sci Rep. 2019 Mar 14;9(1):4519. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-41200-6.
Munoz J, Mehrabi S, Li Y, Basharat A, Middleton LE, Cao S, Barnett-Cowan M, Boger J. Immersive Virtual Reality Exergames for Persons Living With Dementia: User-Centered Design Study as a Multistakeholder Team During the COVID-19 Pandemic. JMIR Serious Games. 2022 Jan 19;10(1):e29987. doi: 10.2196/29987.
Related Links
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VR\&R Project Website
Other Identifiers
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VR&R
Identifier Type: -
Identifier Source: org_study_id
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