VR-Based Intervention for Caregiving Competence in Dementia

NCT ID: NCT06797180

Last Updated: 2025-04-30

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: ENROLLING_BY_INVITATION
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 120 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2023-05-31
• Study Completion Date: 2025-12-31

Brief Summary

This study aims to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a VR-based educational intervention designed to improve the dementia caregiving abilities of formal caregivers in residential care homes. The intervention focuses on enhancing caregivers' knowledge and skills in managing behavioral symptoms of dementia through immersive VR scenarios, group discussions, and evidence-based management strategies, with the goal of better equipping them to provide high-quality care for residents with dementia.

Detailed Description

Background:

Agitated behaviors, such as aggression, care resistance, and wandering, are common in dementia and present significant challenges for formal caregivers in long-term care (LTC) facilities. These behaviors often stem from unmet needs, such as pain, discomfort, or communication barriers, contributing to caregiver stress and reduced care quality. Virtual reality (VR) technology offers an immersive, first-person experience that enables caregivers to better understand triggers of agitated behaviors, empathize with residents' experiences, and improve their caregiving abilities.

Purpose:

This study aims to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a VR-based educational intervention for formal caregivers in residential care homes. Specifically, the study compares two groups: (1) an experimental group receiving both a 100-minute behavioral and psychological symptom (BPSD) foundational education and an additional 100-minute VR training program, and (2) a control group receiving only the 100-minute BPSD foundational education. The study evaluates three outcomes: (1) dementia care competence, (2) confidence in caregiving, and (3) self-reported frequency of BPSD assessment and management at pre-intervention, post-intervention, and two-week follow-up.

Methods:

The VR scenarios and training intervention were developed through a systematic literature review, four focus group interviews with formal caregivers, and pilot testing in a residential LTC facility in Northern Taiwan. A single-blind randomized controlled trial with repeated measures design was conducted across six LTC facilities. The experimental group received 100 minutes of BPSD foundational education, covering an overview of BPSD, identification of common symptoms, strategies for managing BPSD, and the role of caregivers. Additionally, they participated in 100 minutes of VR-based training, which included 20 minutes of immersive VR scenarios to experience at least two types of BPSD, 20 minutes of group discussion to share practical strategies, 20 minutes of evidence-based explanation of management techniques, 15 minutes for scenario reflection, and 25 minutes for Q&A and summarization. The control group, however, only received the 100-minute BPSD foundational education without the VR component. Resident data, including demographics, medical conditions, and Barthel Index scores, were collected. Outcome measures included the Dementia Competence Scale (DCS) , self-reported confidence in caregiving and weekly self-reported BPSD assessment and management frequencies. Data analysis utilized SPSS 25.0, applying descriptive statistics and mixed linear models to examine within- and between-group improvements over time.

Conditions

Competence

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: OTHER
• Blinding Strategy: DOUBLE

Study Groups

This group will receive BPSD foundational education followed by VR-based training.

The intervention consists of two components:

1. BPSD Foundational Education: A 100-minute educational session covering an overview of BPSD, identification of common symptoms, strategies for managing BPSD, and the role of caregivers.

2. VR-based Training: A 100-minute VR-based training, including 20 minutes of immersive VR scenarios to experience at least two types of BPSD, 20 minutes of group discussion to share practical strategies, and 20 minutes of evidence-based explanation of management techniques, 15 minutes for scenario reflection, and 25 minutes for Q&A and summarization.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

Virtual Reality Education for Dementia Caregivers

Intervention Type: DEVICE

This group will receive 100 minutes of BPSD foundational education followed by 100 minutes of VR-based training focused on managing BPSD.

This group will only receive BPSD foundational education.

The control group will only receive the 100-minute BPSD foundational education, which covers the same topics as the experimental group but without the VR-based training.

Group Type: NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

Virtual Reality Education for Dementia Caregivers

This group will receive 100 minutes of BPSD foundational education followed by 100 minutes of VR-based training focused on managing BPSD.

Intervention Type: DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

1. Aged 18 years or older.

2. Able to communicate in Mandarin or Taiwanese.

3. A formal caregiver of individuals with dementia.

4. At least one month of work experience in the residential care facility.

2. Individuals who are unable or unwilling to provide informed consent.

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 80 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Mackay Medical College

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Chin-Tsung Shen

The Office of Research and Development

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Principal Investigator

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

School of Nursing

Locations

Department of Nursing

New Taipei City, New Taipei City, Taiwan

Countries

Taiwan

Other Identifiers

MOST 111-2314-B-715-004-MY3

Identifier Type: OTHER_GRANT

Identifier Source: secondary_id

MMC-RD-112-1B-P004

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id