Tech-based Respite Care for Caregivers and Homebound Older Adults
For patients and families
In plain language
An automatic summary of structured registry data. It is an orientation aid, not a substitute for the official protocol or a physician assessment.
- What is being studied
- The protocol lists: VR-based Respite, Video-based Respite.
- Who it may be relevant to
- Registry conditions: Caregiver Stress, Social Isolation in Older Adults, Cognitive Decline in Older Adults, Depression in Older Adults. Basic parameters: from 18 years · All.
- What needs checking
- Age, condition and sex are only basic indicators. Prior treatment, laboratory values and other mandatory requirements appear in the eligibility criteria below.
- Where it takes place
- Hong Kong
- Next step
- Save the trial, show it to the treating physician, and confirm current recruitment with the study center. Costs, documents and travel →
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Official title
Tech-based Respite Care for Caregivers and Homebound Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Overview
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.
Detailed 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.
Interventions
- Device VR-based Respite
Caregivers and homebound older adults will receive 4 weeks of VR-based respite sessions. 4 weeks (1 session/week; 30 min/session) of immersive VR sessions using SilVR Adventures platform. Sessions include virtual travel destinations (e.g., cities, natural wonders) and social activities (e.g., group tours). Facilitated by trained research staff, with 5-10 minutes viewing and 20 minutes reflection/discussion. - Device Video-based Respite
Caregivers and homebound older adults will receive 4 weeks of video-based respite sessions. 4 weeks (1 session/week; 30 min/session) of non-immersive video sessions with content similar to VR themes (e.g., landscapes, cultural events). Facilitated by trained research staff, with post-video discussion. EEG data collected during viewing to assess emotional states.
Primary outcome measures
- Change from baseline in depression and anxiety on PHQ-4 after intervention [Time frame: Baseline, Immediate after intervention, and 3 months after intervention]
- Change from baseline in quality of life on EQ-5D-5L after intervention [Time frame: Baseline, Immediate after intervention, and 3 months after intervention]
- Change from baseline in loneliness on UCLA Loneliness Scale after intervention [Time frame: Baseline, Immediate after intervention, and 3 months after intervention]
- Change from baseline in subjective happiness on Subjective Happiness Scale after intervention [Time frame: Baseline, Immediate after intervention, and 3 months after intervention]
Secondary outcome measures (5)
- Change from baseline in cognitive function on MMSE after intervention (For CRs only) [Time frame: : Baseline, Immediate after intervention, and 3 months after intervention]
- Change from baseline in role captivity on Pearlin's model after intervention(For CGs only) [Time frame: Baseline, Immediate after intervention, and 3 months after intervention]
- Change from baseline in technology acceptance on STAM after intervention [Time frame: Baseline and Immediate after intervention]
- 4. Change from baseline in quality of life on OPQOL-brief after intervention (For CRs only) [Time frame: Baseline, Immediate after intervention, and 3 months after intervention]
- Change from baseline in caregiving burden on CZBI-short after intervention (For CGs only) [Time frame: Baseline, Immediate after intervention, and 3 months after intervention]
Eligibility 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
Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.
Healthy volunteers: No
Study design
- Allocation
- Randomized
- Model
- Parallel assignment
- Masking
- Open label
- Primary purpose
- Health services research
Study locations
Hong Kong · 1 center
- Sau Po Centre on Ageing, HKU — Hong Kong
Identifiers
NCT: NCT07160673 · 2024-0048-007