Tech-based Respite Care for Caregivers and Homebound Older Adults

NCT ID: NCT07160673

Last Updated: 2025-09-12

Study Results

Results pending

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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Recruitment Status

NOT_YET_RECRUITING

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

180 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2025-09-01

Study Completion Date

2027-02-28

Brief Summary

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The goal of this study is to examine the effectiveness of VR-based respite in improving cognitive function, mental health, and quality of life in caregivers and homebound older adults compared to a control group using videos and a usual care group. Participants are randomly assigned to one of three groups: VR intervention, video control, or usual care.

The VR group receives immersive VR sessions using the SilVR Adventures platform. The video group receives non-immersive video sessions with similar content. The usual care group receives no additional intervention.

Assessments are conducted at baseline, immediate post-intervention, and 3 months post-intervention to measure changes in depression, anxiety, loneliness, quality of life, and other outcomes. The intervention dosage will be 4 weeks (1 sessions/week; 30 min/session).

Secondarily, the study explores differences in effectiveness between caregivers and homebound older adults, and potential moderators or mediators such as baseline health status, technological literacy, and social support.

Detailed Description

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All participants will provide informed consent at the time of enrolment. Both caregivers (CGs) and care recipients (CRs) will complete assessments at baseline.

CRs are assessed for cognitive function (using Mini-Mental State Examination - MMSE) and other health indicators. CGs are assessed for mental health, quality of life, and caregiving burden.

Participants are randomized into three groups: VR intervention (n=30 dyads), video control (n=30 dyads), or usual care (n=30 dyads). Randomization is stratified by CG age (\<60 vs. ≥60) and CR cognitive status (MMSE \<24 vs. ≥24).

As the intervention, the VR group receives 4 weekly 30-minute sessions of immersive VR experiences (e.g., virtual travel and social activities) facilitated by trained research staff. The video group receives 4 weekly 30-minute sessions of non-immersive videos with similar themes, also facilitated. The usual care group receives no additional intervention beyond community services.

At the end of the intervention, participants complete assessments again to measure changes in physical and mental health.

All participants will be contacted for follow-up assessment 3 months after the completion of intervention.

Conditions

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Caregiver Stress Social Isolation in Older Adults Cognitive Decline in Older Adults Depression in Older Adults Anxiety in Older Adults

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

HEALTH_SERVICES_RESEARCH

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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VR Intervention Group

Caregivers and homebound older adults will receive 4 weeks of VR-based respite sessions.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

VR-based Respite

Intervention Type DEVICE

Caregivers and homebound older adults will receive 4 weeks of VR-based respite sessions. 4 weeks (1 session/week; 30 min/session) of immersive VR sessions using SilVR Adventures platform. Sessions include virtual travel destinations (e.g., cities, natural wonders) and social activities (e.g., group tours). Facilitated by trained research staff, with 5-10 minutes viewing and 20 minutes reflection/discussion.

Video Control Group

Caregivers and homebound older adults will receive 4 weeks of video-based respite sessions.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Video-based Respite

Intervention Type DEVICE

Caregivers and homebound older adults will receive 4 weeks of video-based respite sessions. 4 weeks (1 session/week; 30 min/session) of non-immersive video sessions with content similar to VR themes (e.g., landscapes, cultural events). Facilitated by trained research staff, with post-video discussion. EEG data collected during viewing to assess emotional states.

Usual Care Group

Caregivers and homebound older adults will receive no additional intervention.

Group Type NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

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VR-based Respite

Caregivers and homebound older adults will receive 4 weeks of VR-based respite sessions. 4 weeks (1 session/week; 30 min/session) of immersive VR sessions using SilVR Adventures platform. Sessions include virtual travel destinations (e.g., cities, natural wonders) and social activities (e.g., group tours). Facilitated by trained research staff, with 5-10 minutes viewing and 20 minutes reflection/discussion.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Video-based Respite

Caregivers and homebound older adults will receive 4 weeks of video-based respite sessions. 4 weeks (1 session/week; 30 min/session) of non-immersive video sessions with content similar to VR themes (e.g., landscapes, cultural events). Facilitated by trained research staff, with post-video discussion. EEG data collected during viewing to assess emotional states.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Aged 18 or above
* Provide care to at least one homebound older adult (aged 60 or above)
* Provide no less than 6 hours of caregiving per week
* Able to communicate in either Cantonese, Mandarin or English
* Willing to participate for the entire duration
* Able to tolerate VR headset for at least 5 minutes (no severe motion sickness/epilepsy)


* Aged 60 or above
* Homebound (unable to leave home without assistance)
* Stable medical condition
* Willing to participate for the entire duration
* Able to tolerate VR headset for at least 5 minutes (no VR contraindications)

Exclusion Criteria

* History of severe psychiatric disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar)
* Severe cognitive impairment (MMSE \<10)
* Major neurological diseases (e.g., recent stroke, severe Parkinson's)
* Uncorrectable visual/hearing impairments affecting VR/video
* Unable to tolerate VR due to motion sickness or discomfort
* Care recipient receiving long-term care service that conflicts with study

Care Recipients (CRs)
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Hong Kong University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Linda Dong-Ling Wang

Research Assistant Professor

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

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Sau Po Centre on Ageing, HKU

Hong Kong, , Hong Kong

Site Status

Countries

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Hong Kong

Central Contacts

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Dongling Linda Wang, PhD

Role: CONTACT

852-39102278

Other Identifiers

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2024-0048-007

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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