VRCT
Completed
STUDY OVERVIEW
SUMMARY
We conducted a randomized controlled trial (2019–2020) with 69 inpatients living with dementia in an acute care hospital, the largest VR study in this population and setting at the time. Participants were assigned to VR or standard care. The VR group viewed 360° films every 1–3 days. We measured behavioural symptoms (including aggression), falls, length of stay, and quality of life, alongside observational and interview data to understand participant experience feasibility.
Clinical Trials ID: NCT03941119
KEY FINDINGS
VR significantly reduced aggressive behaviours and was safe and enjoyable. No clear effects were seen for other outcomes, but the study provided insight into feasibility, engagement, and participant preferences. Short sessions (~7 minutes) and variable participation (average 1.6 sessions) highlight challenges of delivering VR in acute care and the need to focus on realistic outcomes and more sensitive measures. Observational findings informed the next iteration, including culturally relevant content, nature, animals, and music.
PUBLICATIONS
Appel, L., Appel, E., Kisonas, E., Bartlett, D., Klein, J., Rosenberg, J., & Smith, C. (2021). Administering virtual reality therapy in acute dementia care: A pilot study. JMIR Formative Research, 5(2), e22406. https://doi.org/10.2196/22406
Appel, L., Appel, E., Lewis, S., Appel, J., Kisonas, E., Rosenberg, J., & Smith, C. (2024). Evaluating the impact of virtual reality on BPSD and quality of life in acute care dementia patients: Randomized controlled trial. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 26, e51758. https://doi.org/10.2196/51758
PARTNERS
FUNDERS
