NCT04047511

Virtual Therapy as a Method Supporting Treatment of Late-Life Depression

Immersive Virtual Therapy as a Method Supporting the Non-Farmacological Treatment of Late-Life Depression

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 23 (actual)
• Sponsor: Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences · Academic / Other
• Sex: Female
• Age: 60 Years – 80 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

This study evaluates the addition of virtual therapy intervention in the treatment of depression in the elderly. Half of the participants will receive virtual reality treatment as an addition to physical exercises and psychoeducation, while the other half will receive physical exercises and psychoeducation alone.

Detailed description

Depressive disorders are frequent and can either first be manifested at a younger age and recurrent during later life or have an onset beyond 60 years (late-life depression). The multifactorial genesis of depression in old age includes psychosocial, vascular and metabolic factors and requires multimodal and multi-professional therapy including physical activity and psychosocial interventions. However, there is still a percentage of older people who do not show improvement in depressive symptoms. In recent years, various types of virtual reality are gaining in popularity, primarily because of the availability and ease of use. A systematic review from 2018 concluded that VR treatment had moderate to large effects in anxiety and depression, compared to controls and it could be another effective choice available to clinicians and patients. Therefore, the aim of this project was to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual therapy in the elderly, in whom the previous multimodal therapeutic program has not brought the expected results.

Conditions

• Depressive Symptoms
• Depression
• Anxiety

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
DEVICE	VRTierOne	As a virtual reality source, VRTierOne device (Stolgraf®) were used. Thanks to using head mounted display and the phenomenon of total immersion "VRTierOne" Stolgraf® provides an intense visual, auditory and kinesthetic stimulation. It can have a calming and mood-improving effect or help the patients recognize their psychological resources and motivate to the rehabilitation process. In the virtual therapeutic garden there are a rich set of symbols and metaphors based on Ericksonian Psychotherapy approach. The most important is the Garden of Revival which symbolizes the patient's health. It used to be full of life and energy, now it is neglected, requires work to be revived. In the therapeutic process day by day, the lector (therapist) tells the patient a symbolic story about his/her situation. By performing tasks in the virtual garden, the patient influences the course of this story, becomes an active participant of the therapeutic process and sees the effects his work.
BEHAVIORAL	Group general fitness training	A single session of general fitness training will be composed of low-intensity, general-fitness exercises. Most of the exercises will be carried out in a sitting position and standing positon. The session will contain aerobic (general warm-up), musculo-articular (strengthening muscles and joints range of motion) and stabilizing exercises (improve spatio-visual coordination). Perception of effort will be monitored using the Borg 6-20 rating the perceived exertion. Conducted by a physiotherapist in group form.
BEHAVIORAL	Group Psychoeducation	A single sesstion will contain mini-lectures about mental well-being and psychohygiene, conduced by a psychotherapist in group form.

Timeline

• Start date: 2019-06-01
• Primary completion: 2019-08-31
• Completion: 2019-09-01
• First posted: 2019-08-06
• Last updated: 2022-10-03

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Poland