Tech-based Respite Care for Caregivers and Homebound Older Adults (TechRespiteRCT)

Hong Kong University

Status: Not yet enrolling

Conditions: Social Isolation in Older Adults; Caregiver Stress; Depression in Older Adults; Cognitive Decline in Older Adults; Anxiety in Older Adults

Treatments: Device: Video-based Respite; Device: VR-based Respite

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07160673

2024-0048-007 (Other Grant/Funding Number)

Details and patient eligibility

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.

Full description

All participants will provide informed consent at the time of enrolment. Both caregivers (CGs) and care recipients (CRs) will complete assessments at baseline.

CRs are assessed for cognitive function (using Mini-Mental State Examination - MMSE) and other health indicators. CGs are assessed for mental health, quality of life, and caregiving burden.

Participants are randomized into three groups: VR intervention (n=30 dyads), video control (n=30 dyads), or usual care (n=30 dyads). Randomization is stratified by CG age (<60 vs. ≥60) and CR cognitive status (MMSE <24 vs. ≥24).

As the intervention, the VR group receives 4 weekly 30-minute sessions of immersive VR experiences (e.g., virtual travel and social activities) facilitated by trained research staff. The video group receives 4 weekly 30-minute sessions of non-immersive videos with similar themes, also facilitated. The usual care group receives no additional intervention beyond community services.

At the end of the intervention, participants complete assessments again to measure changes in physical and mental health.

All participants will be contacted for follow-up assessment 3 months after the completion of intervention.

Enrollment: 180 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: No Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion and exclusion criteria

Caregivers (CGs)

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

Trial design

Primary purpose: Health Services Research

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

---

180 participants in 3 patient groups

VR Intervention Group

Experimental group

Description:

Caregivers and homebound older adults will receive 4 weeks of VR-based respite sessions.

Treatment:

Device: VR-based Respite

Video Control Group

Active Comparator group

Description:

Caregivers and homebound older adults will receive 4 weeks of video-based respite sessions.

Treatment:

Device: Video-based Respite

Usual Care Group

No Intervention group

Description:

Caregivers and homebound older adults will receive no additional intervention.