Clinical trial NCT06586489: The Effects of Virtual Natural Environments on Residents' Health
Official title: The Effects of Virtual Natural Environments in Improving Older Residents' Physical and Psychological Health in Long-term Care Facilities
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: RECRUITING
Phase: NA
Conditions: Psychological Health
Keywords: Virtual Reality
Natural Environments
Older Adults
Randomized Controlled Trial
Lead sponsor: Taipei Medical University
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2024-09-19
Enrollment: 120
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 60
Standard ages: ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: yes
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: This randomized controlled trial aims to explore the impact of virtual natural environments on the mental and physical health of older adults in long-term care facilities. A total of 120 participants will be divided into three groups: a virtual reality (VR) group, a tablet screen-based natural environments group (Tab), and a control group (C) receiving routine care. The intervention involves viewing virtual natural landscapes for 10 minutes, three times a week, over eight weeks. The study will evaluate the effectiveness of these virtual environments in enhancing the quality of life for elderly residents, with data collection occurring at multiple time points. Additionally, qualitative interviews will be conducted with VR group participants to capture their experiences and emotional responses.

Detailed description: This study investigates whether virtual natural environments can improve the mental and physical health of older adults living in long-term care facilities. The trial will involve 120 participants randomly assigned to one of three groups: a virtual reality (VR) group, a tablet screen-based natural environments group (Tab), and a control group (C) receiving routine care. The intervention consists of viewing virtual natural landscapes for 10 minutes, three times a week, over an eight-week period.

The study's primary focus is to assess the impact of these virtual environments on participants' overall well-being and quality of life. Data will be collected at multiple stages throughout the intervention, and statistical analysis will be conducted to determine the effectiveness of the virtual nature sessions. In addition to the quantitative analysis, qualitative interviews will be carried out with participants in the VR group to gather deeper insights into their experiences and the emotional benefits they may derive from the intervention. These interviews will provide valuable context to the quantitative findings, helping to understand the broader implications of using virtual natural environments in long-term care settings.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Age 60 years or older
* Residency in a long-term care institution for more than 1 month
* Clear consciousness

Exclusion Criteria:

* Blindness
* Presence of an infectious disease
* Inability to wear glasses

Primary outcomes:
measure: Level of Relaxation
timeFrame: Immediately before and immediately after each intervention session
measure: Temperature
timeFrame: Immediately before and immediately after each intervention session.
measure: Heart Rate
timeFrame: Immediately before and immediately after each intervention session.
measure: Respiration Rate
timeFrame: Immediately before and immediately after each intervention session.
measure: Blood Pressure
timeFrame: Immediately before and immediately after each intervention session.
measure: Well-being
timeFrame: Baseline (pre-intervention), mid-intervention (week 4), end of intervention (week 8), and follow-up at one month post-intervention (week 12)
measure: Heart Rate Variability (HRV)
timeFrame: Immediately before and immediately after each intervention session
measure: Emotion
timeFrame: Baseline (pre-intervention), mid-intervention (week 4), end of intervention (week 8), and follow-up at one month post-intervention (week 12)
measure: Affect
timeFrame: Baseline (pre-intervention), mid-intervention (week 4), end of intervention (week 8), and follow-up at one month post-intervention (week 12)
measure: Anxiety
timeFrame: Baseline (pre-intervention), mid-intervention (week 4), end of intervention (week 8), and follow-up at one month post-intervention (week 12)
measure: Perceived Stress
timeFrame: Baseline (pre-intervention), mid-intervention (week 4), end of intervention (week 8), and follow-up at one month post-intervention (week 12)
measure: Depression
timeFrame: Baseline (pre-intervention), mid-intervention (week 4), end of intervention (week 8), and follow-up at one month post-intervention (week 12)
Secondary outcomes:
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Taipei
country: Taiwan
facility: Taipei Medical University
Study officials:
affiliation: Taipei Medical University
name: Yeu-Hui Chuang
role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
References: