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Desert Dune

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., 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.

Bourolias, K., Lewis-Fung, S., & Appel, L. (2023). A path forward from assessment to activation: Consolidating leisure assessment tools for people living with dementia. 11th Canadian Conference on Dementia (CCD), Toronto, November 2–4, 2023. Canadian Geriatrics Journal.

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.

Appel, L., Appel, E., Lewis, S., Kisonas, E., Appel, J., & Smith, C. (2021). VRCT: Randomized controlled trial evaluating the impact of virtual reality therapy on BPSD and quality of life of acute care in-patients with dementia. Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease, 8(S1), S158.

Appel, L., Appel, E., Lewis, S., & Kisonas, E. (2021). The development of ObsRVR: An observational instrument to measure reactions of people with dementia experiencing virtual reality. Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease, 8(S1), S139–S140.

Appel, L., Kisonas, E., Appel, E., Bartlett, D., Klein, J., Rosenberg, J., & Smith, C. (2020). Virtual reality therapy for inpatients with dementia: Learnings from a pilot study introducing a non-pharmacological intervention to an acute-care hospital. 10th Canadian Conference on Dementia (CCD), Québec City, QC, Canada, October 3, 2019. Canadian Geriatrics Journal, 23(1), 4–87.

Appel, L., Kisonas, E., Appel, E., Bartlett, D., Klein, J., Rosenberg, J., & Smith, C. (2020). Virtual reality therapy for inpatients with dementia: Learnings from a pilot study introducing a non-pharmacological intervention to an acute-care hospital. [Abstract]. Canadian Geriatrics Journal, 23(1), 74.

Appel, L., Chen, B., Kisonas, E., Appel, E., Rosenberg, J., & Smith, C. (2020). Predicting response to virtual reality therapy for treatment of BPSD in acute-care settings. [Abstract P083]. Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease, 7(S1), S55–S119.

Appel, L., Kisonas, E., Appel, E., Bartlett, D., Klein, J., Rosenberg, J., & Smith, C. (2020). Introducing virtual reality therapy for inpatients with dementia admitted to an acute-care hospital: Learnings from a pilot to pave the way to a randomized controlled trial. [Abstract P085]. Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease, 7(S1), S55–S119.

Appel, L., Kisonas, E., Appel, E., Bartlett, D., Klein, J., Rosenberg, J., & Smith, C. (2020). Administering virtual reality therapy to manage behavioural and psychological symptoms in patients with dementia admitted to an acute-care hospital: Results of a pilot study. [Abstract P084]. Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease, 7(S1), S55–S119.

PARTNERS

FUNDERS

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