Reducing Loneliness of Older Adults in Long Term Care Facilities Through Collaborative Augmented Realities

Vanderbilt University

Status: Completed

Conditions: Loneliness

Treatments: Behavioral: 2-D AV; Behavioral: HMD AR

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other; NIH

Identifiers

NCT06179225

R21AG078480 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract)

078480

Details and patient eligibility

About

The goal of this clinical trial is to test the use of head-mounted display (HMD) augmented reality (AR) in older adults residing in long term care communities. The main questions it aims to answer are: what is the feasibility, acceptability, and satisfaction of HMD AR vs two-dimensional audio-video communication? Older adults and their designated family member will complete HMD AR activities in 8 session visits over 4 weeks. Researchers will compare HMD AR to 2-D audio-visual (AV) comparison group on feasibility, acceptability, and satisfaction with the interactive communication technology.

Full description

For both interventions, the bandwidth within the family members' homes will be measured and a hotspot created if necessary to facilitate data streaming. For each session, a trained research assistant (RA) will be physically present at the Long-term Care (LTC) to troubleshoot for technological issues. The RA will observe the staff member establish the Interactive Communication technology (ICT) connection between the older adult and family member, assisting as needed. The RA and staff member will remain within the room; the RA will monitor for technological issues. The staff member will monitor the older adults' reactions.

HMD-AR Intervention Experimental Setup. For the older adults, equipment set-up will be in a dedicated room at the LTC that allows for environmental overlays. Equipment includes two Kinect cameras, one HMD and one E4 wrist sensor that the older adult will wear to measure stress through physiological sensing. The family member will be consulted for placement of the 2 Kinect cameras in their home.

AR Activities. At least one meal session and one activity session will be conducted. The remaining sessions will consist of activities based on the preference of the older adult-family member. Staff will be trained to turn on the headset, computers, and ensure communication connection between the older adult and family member.

2D Audio-visual Intervention The 2D audio-visual sessions will take place in a dedicated room at the LTC. Staff will initiate the connection between the older adult and family member. In the unlikely event a family member does not have a device for the 2D audio-visual visits, a computer tablet will be supplied for use during the study.

Enrollment: 24 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 60+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• age 60 and older
• residing at LTC greater than 3 months

Exclusion criteria

• unable to provide assent or consent
• unable to understand or speak English
• physical impairment that impedes participation
• terminally ill

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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24 participants in 2 patient groups

HMD AR

Experimental group

Description:

Pairs of older adults with their designated family members who geographically apart will perform collaborative activities using HMD AR in 8 sessions over 4 weeks.

Treatment:

Behavioral: HMD AR

2-D Audio-Visual

Active Comparator group

Description:

Pairs of older adults with their designated family members who geographically apart will perform collaborative activities using 2-D Audio-Visual in 8 sessions over 4 weeks.

Treatment:

Behavioral: 2-D AV