Effects of Virtual Reality Meditation in Older Adults

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Virtual reality (VR) allows users to interact within a simulated environment using electronic devices such as a VR headset or goggles. Multiple studies with younger adults have demonstrated that VR meditation can be an important tool in reducing stress, however, this has not been studied in older adults. In this study, the investigators aim to assess the effects of a 4-week program of 15-minutes sessions, twice per week of meditation delivered through VR with the aim of evaluating its impact on stress in older adults.

Official Title
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Effects of Virtual Reality Meditation in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Conditions
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Older Adults, Stress, Mental Disorder

Intervention / Treatment
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* Behavioral: VR Meditation


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: Living in the Greater Montreal area and able to speak English or French Perceived Stress Score (PSS)equal or greater than 10 Over >=60 years of age Exclusion Criteria: Diagnosis of epilepsy, schizophrenia, brain tumor History of recurrent migraines or seizures or TBI in the past year Substance use disorders in the last year Psychiatric hospitalizations in the last year. Acute psychotic symptoms Acute suicidal ideation or intent Glaucoma PTSD Changes to psychoactive medications in the past 4 weeks Alcohol, caffeine or cannabis consumption within 24 hr before the session, or nicotine consumption within 15 min of the session Important hearing impairment Recovery phase of any eye surgery

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 60 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Single


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: Intervention: Virtual Reality Mindfulness Group<br>The intervention will be 4-weeks, twice per week, 15-minute/session VR-mindfulness intervention group. | Behavioral: VR Meditation<br>* This 4-week VR program will use the Oculus Pro-Quest 2 headsets for the 15-minute seated VR meditation twice per week for a total of 8 sessions over the 4 weeks.<br>|
| No Intervention: No intervention: Waitlist Control Group<br>These participants will be on a waitlist to receive the VR guided meditation program after data collection has been completed (after the 4 weeks) | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Changes in stress scores as measured by the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) for treatment group versus control group | To assess the effectiveness of the virtual reality meditation program in reducing stress in older adults. Scores on the PSS can range from 0-40, with higher scores indicating higher perceived stress. | Baseline, Once weekly during intervention | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Changes in symptoms of anxiety as measured by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) questionnaire for treatment group versus control group | To assess the effects of the virtual reality meditation program on symptoms of anxiety in older adults. Scores on the GAD-7 range from 0-21, with higher scores indicating more severe anxiety. | Baseline, Once weekly during intervention | 
| Changes in symptoms of depression as measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scale for treatment group versus control group | To assess the effects of the virtual reality meditation program on symptoms of depression in older adults. Scores on the PHQ-9 can range from 0-27, with higher scores indicating more severe depression. | Baseline, Once weekly during intervention | 

 Terms related to the study
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Keywords Provided by Centre Hospitalier Valida
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Virtual reality, Meditation, Mindfulness, Stress, Older adults