VR&R: Providing Respite to Caregivers by Managing BPSDs and Improving QoL in People with Dementia Using Immersive VR-Therapy

Status: Recruiting
Location: See all (7) locations...
Intervention Type: Behavioral
Study Type: Interventional
Study Phase: Not Applicable
SUMMARY

The goal of this interventional trial is to learn about how immersive Virtual Reality (VR) therapy can be used at home by individuals with dementia, with assistance from their informal (e.g., friend/family) caregivers. 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).

Eligibility
Participation Requirements
Sex: All
Minimum Age: 65
Healthy Volunteers: f
View:

• Individuals who are 65 years of age or older

• Individuals living at home with a family caregiver

• Individuals diagnosed with dementia

Locations
Other Locations
Canada
McGill Dementia Education Centre
NOT_YET_RECRUITING
Montreal
Acclaim Health
RECRUITING
Oakville
Chester Village
RECRUITING
Toronto
Circle of Care
RECRUITING
Toronto
Toronto Grace Hospital - Main Site
ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING
Toronto
Toronto Grace Hospital - Remote Care Monitoring
RECRUITING
Toronto
Toronto Grace Hospital - Specialized Care Centre
RECRUITING
Toronto
Contact Information
Primary
Lora Appel, PhD
lora.appel@yorku.ca
6475046537
Backup
Lora Appel, PhD
lora.appel@uhn.ca
Time Frame
Start Date: 2025-02-12
Estimated Completion Date: 2027-02-01
Participants
Target number of participants: 50
Treatments
Experimental: 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.
Experimental: 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.
Related Therapeutic Areas
Sponsors
Collaborators: Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR), Centre for Aging and Brain Health Innovation, Ontario AHSC AFP Innovation Fund
Leads: University Health Network, Toronto

This content was sourced from clinicaltrials.gov