Tech-based Respite Care for Caregivers and Homebound Older Adults
Recruiting · NCT07160673 · Interventional (participants receive a specific treatment)
View the official record on ClinicalTrials.gov →Interventions studied
What this trial is about
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.
Who can take part
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)
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)
- Inclusion Criteria:
- 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)
- Able to understand and provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: Same as CGs, plus MMSE \<10
Where it is running
1 location listed.
- Sau Po Centre on Ageing, HKU - Hong Kong, 香港島, Hong Kong