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

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).

Conditions

• Dementia

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

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).

BEHAVIORAL

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).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Centre for Aging and Brain Health Innovation

  collaborator OTHER

• Ontario AHSC AFP Innovation Fund

  collaborator UNKNOWN

• Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR)

  collaborator OTHER_GOV

• University Health Network, Toronto

  lead OTHER

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

CROSSOVER

Eligibility

Min Age

65 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2025-02-12

Primary Completion

2027-02-01

Completion

2027-02-01

Countries

• Canada

Study Locations