Efficacy of VR Educational Program on Empathy and Attitudes Toward Dementia in Caregivers

NCT ID: NCT06072274

Last Updated: 2026-01-13

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 227 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2023-12-09
• Study Completion Date: 2024-03-16

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial evaluated a single-session virtual reality (VR) dementia simulation with guided small-group reflection compared with a time-matched, instructor-led lecture. A total of 227 caregivers of people with a formal diagnosis of dementia were enrolled and randomized. Empathy and attitudes toward dementia were assessed at baseline, immediately after the session, and 1 month after the session. Caregiver burden and psychological distress were assessed at baseline and 1 month after the session.

Detailed Description

This study used a parallel, two-arm randomized controlled design to evaluate a VR-based dementia simulation for caregiver education. A total of 227 caregivers of people with a formal diagnosis of dementia were enrolled and randomized to either (1) a single 3-hour VR dementia simulation delivered in three consecutive segments, each followed by guided small-group reflection (intervention), or (2) an instructor-led dementia education lecture of equal duration (control). Empathy and attitudes toward dementia were assessed at baseline, immediately post-session, and 1 month post-session. Caregiver burden and psychological distress were assessed at baseline and 1 month post-session.

Conditions

Dementia; Caregiver Burden

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: SUPPORTIVE_CARE
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

Virtual reality dementia simulation with guided reflection

A single 3-hour virtual reality (VR) dementia simulation delivered in three consecutive segments, each followed by guided small-group reflection.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Virtual reality dementia simulation with guided reflection

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

A single 3-hour VR dementia simulation delivered in three consecutive segments, each followed by guided small-group reflection.

Traditional dementia education (lecture)

Traditional dementia education (lecture) of equal duration.

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Traditional dementia education (lecture)

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Instructor-led lecture of equal duration

Interventions

Virtual reality dementia simulation with guided reflection

A single 3-hour VR dementia simulation delivered in three consecutive segments, each followed by guided small-group reflection.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Traditional dementia education (lecture)

Instructor-led lecture of equal duration

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

1. Over 20 years;

2. Speak Chinese;

3. Currently providing care to a person with a formal diagnosis of dementia (paid formal caregivers or unpaid family caregivers).

Exclusion Criteria

1. Those who are unable to use VR devices due to certain physical or mental situations;

2. Those who have fear/disgust for VR devices;

3. Those who feel dizzy after using VR devices;

4. For family caregivers: the care recipient is currently residing in a care facility.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 20 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 100 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Taipei Medical University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Principal Investigators

Dorothy Bai, PhD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Taipei Medical University

Locations

Taipei Medical University

Taipei, , Taiwan

Countries

Taiwan

Other Identifiers

N202308052

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id