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VR Therapy for Dementia (VR&R Trial)

N/A

Waitlist Available

Research Sponsored by University Health Network, Toronto

Eligibility Criteria Checklist

Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial

Must have

Be older than 65 years old

Timeline

Screening 3 weeks

Treatment Varies

Follow Up baseline

Awards & highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial investigates how immersive VR therapy can help individuals with dementia and their informal caregivers by providing quality respite time and reducing feelings of burden.

Who is the study for?

This trial is for people with dementia aged 65 or older living at home with a family caregiver who can access the internet. Caregivers should be able to speak and understand English, provide consent, and assist their loved one. Excluded are those with certain legal guardianships, language barriers, pacemakers, blindness, open facial wounds (except sutured lacerations), seizure history, recent head trauma or stroke, unsafe cervical conditions for VR use, or alcohol-related dementia.

What is being tested?

The study tests if immersive VR therapy helps caregivers get respite time and improves well-being while managing symptoms of dementia like mood swings and agitation in patients. It explores which type of VR content—passive videos, interactive games or cooperative experiences—is most effective over three weeks of sessions.

What are the potential side effects?

Potential side effects from using VR may include motion sickness or dizziness due to the immersive experience. There might also be discomfort wearing the headset especially for individuals with pre-existing conditions that affect the face or neck.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks3 visits

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~ baseline

Screening ~ 3 weeks

Treatment ~ Varies

Follow Up ~baseline

This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and baseline for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.

Primary study objectives

Caregiver Respite and Burden: Post-Session Log

Change in Caregiver Respite and Burden: Caregiver Phone Interview

Change in Caregiver Respite and Burden: Short Zarit Burden Interview

Secondary study objectives

Change in PwD Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia: Apathy

Change in PwD Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia: Depression

Change in PwD Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia: Neuropsychiatric Symptoms

+3 more

Other study objectives

PwD Preferences/Reactions to VR

PwD Preferences/Reactions to VR: Head Movements in VR

PwD Preferences/Reactions to VR: Post Session Log

+6 more

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group

All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

1Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Group I: VR&R TherapyExperimental Treatment1 Intervention

Recruited dyads will include one person diagnosed with dementia and their informal caregiver (i.e., 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.

Do I qualify?Apply below to find out