Virtual Reality for Improving Symptoms in Palliative Care (VRPC)

Western University, Canada

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Cancer and Non-cancer Hospice Patients

Treatments: Device: Virtual Reality

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05197894

Windsor Essex Hospice VR

Details and patient eligibility

About

The objective of this study is to determine whether VR can ameliorate symptoms for palliative care patients within a hospice setting. We also aim to verify the efficacy with a larger sample size than previously shown, as well as extend the population to include non-cancer patients receiving Hospice care. We will further attempt to delineate whether there is a sustainability of symptomatic improvement one week after VR experiences.

Full description

Potential candidates will be provided with our assent and consent information form and the study will be explained to them in detail prior to gaining consent. As per standard practice at The Hospice of Windsor & Essex County, palliative care ESAS symptoms will be measured at baseline during the week prior to the VR experience. The mean of these pre-VR scores will be calculated as a baseline, optimally 3 separate ESAS scores in the preceding week. ESAS symptoms and expectations/satisfaction will then be measured immediately before and after the VR experience. An average set of ESAS scores will then be calculated in the same manner for one week post VR as per baseline pre-VR scores above.

We expect to find a decrease in Palliative Care symptoms after the intervention of a VR experience.

Enrollment: 15 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• at least 18 years or older
• admitted to Hospice for Specialty Palliative Care

Exclusion criteria

• Palliative Performance Scale (PPS) ≤ 20%
• severe cognitive impairment leading to inability to provide ESAS scores for 5 key symptoms measured in this study
• severe visual and/or hearing impairment preventing use of VR (glasses and hearing aids may be worn during VR sessions and do not exclude participation)
• absolute inability to sit
• paralysis of an upper limb
• participant dies before VR experience

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: N/A

Interventional model: Single Group Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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15 participants in 1 patient group

VR experience

Experimental group

Description:

Participants will be given a list of VR applications to choose from. They will then be given instructions by a research assistant (approximately 10 minutes) on how to use the selected application they have chosen, as well as time for any questions they may have before starting their VR experience. They will then have an approximately 30-minute session of that VR experience. They may or may not be accompanied by a family member or significant other and will also have a research assistant available to aid them in any difficulties experienced during the VR experience.

Treatment:

Device: Virtual Reality