NCT06072274

Efficacy of VR Educational Program on Empathy and Attitudes Toward Dementia in Caregivers

Efficacy of Virtual Reality Educational Program on Empathy and Attitudes Toward Dementia in Caregivers

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 227 (actual)
• Sponsor: Taipei Medical University · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 20 Years – 100 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

This randomized controlled trial evaluated a single-session virtual reality (VR) dementia simulation with guided small-group reflection compared with a time-matched, instructor-led lecture. A total of 227 caregivers of people with a formal diagnosis of dementia were enrolled and randomized. Empathy and attitudes toward dementia were assessed at baseline, immediately after the session, and 1 month after the session. Caregiver burden and psychological distress were assessed at baseline and 1 month after the session.

Detailed description

This study used a parallel, two-arm randomized controlled design to evaluate a VR-based dementia simulation for caregiver education. A total of 227 caregivers of people with a formal diagnosis of dementia were enrolled and randomized to either (1) a single 3-hour VR dementia simulation delivered in three consecutive segments, each followed by guided small-group reflection (intervention), or (2) an instructor-led dementia education lecture of equal duration (control). Empathy and attitudes toward dementia were assessed at baseline, immediately post-session, and 1 month post-session. Caregiver burden and psychological distress were assessed at baseline and 1 month post-session.

Conditions

• Dementia
• Caregiver Burden

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Virtual reality dementia simulation with guided reflection	A single 3-hour VR dementia simulation delivered in three consecutive segments, each followed by guided small-group reflection.
BEHAVIORAL	Traditional dementia education (lecture)	Instructor-led lecture of equal duration

Timeline

• Start date: 2023-12-09
• Primary completion: 2024-03-16
• Completion: 2024-03-16
• First posted: 2023-10-10
• Last updated: 2026-01-13

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Taiwan