Virtual Reality Driving Simulator for Dementia

Overseen By Saber Mirmiran, M.Sc.

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Manitoba

Disqualifiers: Significant mobility issues, visual impairment

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

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: Unknown

20 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a virtual reality driving simulator to determine if it can improve mood and quality of life for individuals with Alzheimer's or dementia in care units. The simulator mimics real driving experiences, which many patients miss, and may also aid memory skills. Participants must be able to walk and see well and must reside in a dementia care unit at Riverview Health Center. The goal is to assess whether this engaging, game-like experience can positively impact their daily lives. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity for participants to explore innovative ways to enhance their daily experiences.

Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It seems focused on using a virtual reality driving simulator to improve mood and quality of life, so it's unlikely that medication changes are required.

What prior data suggests that this virtual reality driving simulator is safe for dementia patients?

Research shows that virtual reality (VR) can safely assist people with dementia. Studies find that VR typically has a neutral or positive impact on emotions, social interactions, and overall well-being for those with dementia. Reviews suggest that VR experiences can aid memory and mood, potentially reducing depression in older adults.

Regarding side effects, no serious problems have been reported with VR use in this setting. Most people tolerate it well, though some might experience mild discomfort like dizziness or eye strain. Past studies have highlighted the benefits of VR, such as improving mood and thinking skills, without significant negative effects. Overall, using VR in dementia care appears both safe and promising. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the Virtual Reality Driving Simulator (VRDS) for dementia because it offers a novel approach to cognitive training. Unlike traditional treatments that often focus on medication to manage symptoms, VRDS provides an interactive and engaging way to potentially improve cognitive functions. The simulator immerses users in a realistic driving environment, which may help stimulate brain activity and improve skills like attention, memory, and spatial awareness. This method could offer a non-invasive, drug-free option that complements existing therapeutic strategies, making it a promising avenue for enhancing the quality of life for individuals with dementia.

What evidence suggests that this virtual reality driving simulator is effective for dementia?

Research has shown that virtual reality (VR) games can benefit older adults with mild memory and thinking problems. VR activities help improve attention and decision-making skills. For people with dementia, VR boosts mental activity and enhances mood. The goal of using VR in dementia care is to create enjoyable experiences that might also aid memory. In this trial, participants will use a VR driving simulator designed to improve mood and potentially enhance unconscious memory by practicing skills like driving. Overall, early studies suggest VR could support mental abilities in dementia. ^{1 2 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Zahra Moussavi

Principal Investigator

University of Manitoba

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for institutionalized dementia patients, particularly those who cannot perform standard assessments. It aims to improve their mood and quality of life by using a virtual reality driving simulator (VRDS). The study seeks individuals with varying levels of cognitive impairment but will likely use the easiest level of the VRDS.

Inclusion Criteria

Living in a dementia care unit of Riverview Health Center

I can move around and see.

Exclusion Criteria

I do not use a wheelchair for mobility.

I do not have significant visual impairment.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

VRDS Training

Participants use the Virtual Reality Driving Simulator (VRDS) to improve mood and implicit memory

52 weeks

Weekly sessions

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for mood and implicit memory improvements through nurse observations and game scores

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Augmented Virtual Reality Driving Simulator

Trial Overview The trial is testing whether a VR driving simulator can enhance mood and implicit memory in dementia patients. Nurses at Riverview Health Center will observe changes in patient behavior, while game scores will indicate potential improvements in memory based on driving performance.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: VRDS users Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Individuals who would use the VRDS

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Manitoba

Lead Sponsor

Trials

628

Recruited

209,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

Driving simulation technology is a safe and effective tool for occupational therapy practitioners to assess driving performance, helping to identify impairments and errors in at-risk drivers based on a review of existing literature.

While simulator sickness can be a limitation, strategies exist to manage it, and further empirical research is needed to establish driving simulators as a reliable and cost-effective clinical tool for driving assessment and intervention.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Driving simulators for occupational therapy screening, assessment, and intervention. Classen, S., Brooks, J.[2014]

A virtual reality driving simulator (VRDS) was tested on 11 participants with varying levels of dementia over 10 sessions, showing a significant 44.4% improvement in spatial cognition as measured by the Morris Water test after the intervention.

Participants not only improved their spatial skills but also progressed to more challenging levels of the game and reported better mood, suggesting that regular use of the VRDS could be beneficial for older adults with cognitive impairments.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Does Practicing with a Virtual Reality Driving Simulator Improve Spatial Cognition in Older Adults? A Pilot Study. Masoumzadeh, S., Moussavi, Z.[2022]

Driving simulators can be valuable tools for assessing the driving abilities of individuals with dementia, helping to predict their future driving safety.

The review highlights the strengths and weaknesses of different types of simulators, emphasizing the need for appropriate use in evaluating driving capabilities in this population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Simulators for assessing driving skills in demented patients. Bylsma, FW.[2019]

The study involving 91 neurological patients demonstrated that driving simulators can effectively differentiate between fit and unfit drivers based on reaction times and driving behaviors across various environments, highlighting their potential as assessment tools.

Unfit drivers showed significant issues such as greater variability in steering and more collisions in urban settings, while conditionally fit drivers did not exhibit clear differences from fit drivers, indicating the need for careful human judgment in their evaluation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Exploring driving characteristics of fit- and unfit-to-drive neurological patients: a driving simulator study. Motnikar, L., Stojmenova, K., Štaba, UČ., et al.[2020]

Augmented reality (AR) cues significantly improved the ability of middle-aged and older drivers with cognitive impairments to judge safe left-turns across oncoming traffic, as evidenced by shorter estimated Time-to-Contact (TTC) and increased response rates in cued conditions.

Drivers reported that the AR cues were not distracting, and those with the greatest cognitive decline adjusted their driving behavior to align more closely with that of middle-aged drivers, indicating that AR technology can enhance driving safety without causing additional distractions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Augmented reality cues to assist older drivers with gap estimation for left-turns. Rusch, ML., Schall, MC., Lee, JD., et al.[2021]

The study involving six persons with dementia showed that they could effectively interact with a virtual reality environment, indicating that VR can be a useful tool for assessing functional behavior in a realistic setting.

Participants did not experience significant simulator sickness or negative impacts on their psychological and physical well-being, suggesting that VR technology is safe for use among individuals with dementia.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Developing a virtual reality-based methodology for people with dementia: a feasibility study. Flynn, D., van Schaik, P., Blackman, T., et al.[2019]

A scoping review of 19 studies found that Virtual Reality (VR) technologies can positively impact the emotional wellbeing of persons with dementia, with emotional outcomes being the primary focus in 89.5% of the studies.

While VR shows promise in enhancing quality of life for people with dementia, there is a need for further exploration of its effects on social engagement and personhood, as well as customization of VR tools for different sub-groups.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Virtual reality to promote wellbeing in persons with dementia: A scoping review. Appel, L., Ali, S., Narag, T., et al.[2022]

Virtual reality (VR) interventions are primarily used in dementia education and training, showing potential to enhance health professionals' and trainees' knowledge, attitudes, empathy, and sensitivity towards dementia care.

Despite the promising results, the evidence is not yet robust enough to fully endorse the use of immersive virtual learning in dementia training, highlighting the need for more rigorous studies with larger sample sizes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Use of virtual and augmented reality-based interventions in health education to improve dementia knowledge and attitudes: an integrative review. Jones, C., Jones, D., Moro, C.[2021]

In a study of 114 older adults, those who performed poorly in a low-fidelity driving simulator were more likely to be involved in accidents where they were at least partially at fault over a subsequent 5-year period.

This suggests that even basic driving simulators can be effective tools for predicting real-world driving safety outcomes, highlighting their potential use in assessing driving capabilities in older adults.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Simulator driving performance predicts accident reports five years later. Hoffman, L., McDowd, JM.[2015]

The study utilized the Iowa Driving Simulator to analyze crashes involving drivers with Alzheimer disease (AD), revealing specific safety errors that lead to accidents, such as inappropriate responses with hand and foot controls and failure to respond altogether.

By graphically dissecting the moments leading up to crashes, the research provides insights into the driving behaviors of AD patients, which can inform future strategies for preventing accidents and improving driver safety in this population.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Driving with Alzheimer disease: the anatomy of a crash. Reinach, SJ., Rizzo, M., McGehee, DV.[2007]

A pilot tool for dementia screening using virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) was developed, showing that it can effectively assess cognitive function in a way that engages participants emotionally.

In a study with 24 middle-aged participants, the VR/AR screening tool (VSIDCS) produced test scores consistent with traditional assessments like MoCA and MMSE, while also enhancing participant involvement and positive experiences during the testing process.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Pilot Tool of the Virtual Scenario Initial Dementia Cognitive Screening (VSIDCS) with a Cultural Exhibition for Improving the Standard Traditional Test. Liu, CL., Chang, SR.[2021]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12385561/

Virtual and Augmented Reality Games in Dementia Care The findings suggested that VR can provide positive experiences for older individuals with Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) and can have a ...

2. ctv.veeva.com ctv.veeva.com/study/investigating-the-efficacy-of-an-augmented-virtual-reality-driving-simulator-on-institutionalized-de

Investigating the Efficacy of an Augmented Virtual Reality ... The aim is to investigate the efficacy of the VRDS amongst institutionalized Alzheimer's/dementia patients, who are not capable of performing ...

3. researchgate.net researchgate.net/publication/394494464_Virtual_and_Augmented_Reality_Games_in_Dementia_Care_Systematic_and_Bibliographic_Review

(PDF) Virtual and Augmented Reality Games in Dementia ... PDF | Background: This review investigates the use of virtual and augmented reality games in dementia care. It provides an insight into the ...

4. preprints.org preprints.org/manuscript/202410.0139/v1

Virtual and Augmented Reality Games in the Treatment of ... The idea is that video games, in combination with VR and AR, can help treat dementia by enhancing cognitive stimulation and improving exercise and movement.

5. mdpi.com mdpi.com/2076-3425/15/9/910

Effects of Cognitive Training with Virtual Reality in Older ... Results: Most studies reported positive effects of VR interventions on cognitive domains such as attention, executive functions, and global cognition. Fewer ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8743938/

Virtual reality to promote wellbeing in persons with dementia This review found that VR represents a promising tool for promoting wellbeing in PwD, with positive or neutral impact reported on emotional, social, and ...

7. frontiersin.org frontiersin.org/journals/virtual-reality/articles/10.3389/frvir.2021.655338/full

A Scoping Review of Augmented/Virtual Reality Health and ... A scoping review was performed to identify how AR/VR was being used with older adult populations to impact their physical and mental health.

8. jneuroengrehab.biomedcentral.com jneuroengrehab.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12984-023-01292-8

Virtual reality applications based on instrumental activities of ... This systematic review aims to synthesize the effects of iADL-VR interventions to rehabilitate, train, or stimulate cognitive functions in healthy adults.