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Tech-based Respite Care for Caregivers and Homebound Older Adults

RecruitingNA

Sponsor: Hong Kong University

Conditions: Caregiver Stress, Social Isolation in Older Adults, Cognitive Decline in Older Adults, Depression in Older Adults, Anxiety in Older Adults

Interventions: VR-based Respite, Video-based Respite

Countries: Hong Kong

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.

Eligibility overview

Sex: ALL

Age: 18 Years to —

Healthy volunteers: No

Study type: INTERVENTIONAL

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

Locations (1)

Hong Kong, 香港島, Hong Kong