Virtual Reality for Hospice Care

Overseen By Jason Thrift, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Prisma Health-Upstate

Disqualifiers: Cognitive impairment, Seizures, Motion sickness, Claustrophobia, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

11 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

Background: Nature-based virtual reality (VR) and other outdoor experiences in head-mounted displays (HMDs) offer powerful, non-pharmacological tools for hospice teams to help patients undergoing end-of-life (EOL) transitions. However, the psychological distress of the patient-caregiver dyad is interconnected and highlights the interdependence and responsiveness to distress as a unit. Hospice care services and healthcare need strategies to help patients and informal caregivers with EOL transitions.

Research Team

Joshua K Pope

Principal Investigator

Prisma Health Hospice of the Foothills

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for hospice patients experiencing end-of-life transitions and their caregivers. It aims to help with anxiety, pain, and psychological distress using a non-drug approach.

Inclusion Criteria

Projected life expectancy of <6 months (established by hospice experts)

I am mentally sharp and can make decisions for myself.

English speaking

Exclusion Criteria

Patients with motion sickness

Patients with claustrophobia

I have a cognitive condition that might affect my participation in the study.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Tandem VR Intervention

Patient-caregiver dyads experience a personalized nature-based or other outdoor VR experience lasting 5-15 minutes

1 session

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in fear of death, quality of life, and perception of pain

Up to 12 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Tandem VR

Trial Overview The study tests Tandem Virtual Reality experiences that simulate nature settings. Patients and caregivers use VR headsets together to see if it helps ease the emotional challenges of end-of-life care.

Participant Groups

Group I: Tandem Virtual Reality Experience Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Tandem VR Intervention After the surveys are completed, the researchers will share a personalized library of immersive, nature-based, 360-degree VR experiences for the participant-caregiver dyads to choose from based on their VR Intake Form. Once the dyad has determined their desired Tandem VR experience from the library, the researchers will assist the dyads in donning the VR head mounted display (HMD). The researchers will ensure the safety of both dyads while using the HMDs. The researchers will then initiate the Tandem VR experience. The duration of the Tandem VR experience will be 5-15 minutes.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Prisma Health-Upstate

Lead Sponsor

Trials

91

Recruited

47,500+

Clemson University

Collaborator

Trials

38

Recruited

8,200+