Augmented Reality for Loneliness

Overseen By Kelley J. Colopietro, BS

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Vanderbilt University

Disqualifiers: Non-English speakers, Physical impairment, Terminally ill, others

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 8

Duration: 4 weeks

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests the effectiveness and enjoyment of augmented reality (AR) technology for older adults in long-term care communities. Researchers aim to determine if head-mounted display (HMD) AR reduces loneliness more effectively than regular video calls. Participants and their family members will engage in activities over eight sessions, using either the AR headset or regular video chat. The trial seeks older adults who have lived in long-term care for over three months and are comfortable with English. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to explore innovative technology that could enhance social connections and improve quality of life.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What prior data suggests that this augmented reality method is safe for older adults?

Previous studies have shown that using headsets for augmented reality (AR) improves social connections and reduces feelings of loneliness. Most people find them easy to use, though some may experience dizziness or nausea afterward. These side effects are usually mild and resolve quickly. Research also indicates that AR headsets benefit both physical and mental health, especially for older adults.

Overall, AR headsets appear safe for most people. However, consulting a healthcare provider is advisable if there are any concerns before using them. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about using augmented reality (AR) and 2-D audio-visual (AV) technology to help tackle loneliness among older adults. Unlike traditional methods like phone calls or video chats, these approaches create more immersive experiences. The HMD AR treatment allows users to engage in shared activities through headsets, making interactions feel almost like being together in person. Meanwhile, the 2-D AV setup offers a more accessible way to connect visually and audibly without the complexity of AR. Both methods aim to enhance emotional bonds by making distant interactions more engaging and meaningful.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for loneliness?

This trial will compare two methods to reduce loneliness in older adults: HMD AR and 2-D Audio-Visual. Research has shown that augmented reality (AR), particularly with headsets like those in the HMD AR arm, may alleviate loneliness in older adults. Studies indicate that virtual reality, which includes AR, can reduce feelings of social isolation by providing engaging and interactive experiences. Specifically, using headsets for immersive experiences has strengthened social connections. Other research suggests that AR can enhance the quality of life for older individuals by making social interactions more enjoyable and fulfilling. Overall, early findings suggest AR could be a promising tool to combat loneliness. ^{1 4 6 7 8}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Nilanjan Sarkar

Principal Investigator

Vanderbilt University

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for older adults aged 60 or above who have been living in long-term care facilities for more than three months. Participants must be able to give consent and understand English. Those with physical impairments that prevent participation or those who are terminally ill cannot join.

Inclusion Criteria

Residing at LTC greater than 3 months

I am 60 years old or older.

Exclusion Criteria

I have a physical condition that prevents me from joining.

Terminally ill

I am unable to understand or sign the consent form.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants engage in collaborative activities using HMD AR or 2-D Audio-Visual technology in 8 sessions over 4 weeks

4 weeks

8 session visits

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for feasibility, acceptability, and satisfaction of the intervention

4 weeks

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• 2-D AV
• HMD AR

Trial Overview

The study is examining the effectiveness of using head-mounted display augmented reality (HMD AR) versus traditional two-dimensional audio-video (2-D AV) communication to reduce loneliness in older adults. It involves 8 sessions over 4 weeks, assessing feasibility, acceptability, and satisfaction.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: HMD AR Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Pairs of older adults with their designated family members who geographically apart will perform collaborative activities using HMD AR in 8 sessions over 4 weeks.

Group II: 2-D Audio-Visual Active Control 1 Intervention

Pairs of older adults with their designated family members who geographically apart will perform collaborative activities using 2-D Audio-Visual in 8 sessions over 4 weeks.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Vanderbilt University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

714

Recruited

6,143,000+

National Institute on Aging (NIA)

Collaborator

Trials

1,841

Recruited

28,150,000+

Published Research Related to This Trial

The UCLA Loneliness Scale is a newly developed, reliable 20-item tool for assessing loneliness, demonstrating high internal consistency (coefficient alpha = .96) and good stability over time (test-retest correlation of .73 over two months).

The scale shows strong concurrent and preliminary construct validity, correlating well with self-reported loneliness and related emotional states, as well as with participation in a 'loneliness clinic.'

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Developing a measure of loneliness. Russell, D., Peplau, LA., Ferguson, ML.[2022]

Virtual Reality (VR) has potential as a rehabilitation tool for older adults, particularly in addressing cognitive decline and loneliness, as explored through workshops with 25 participants over 6 months.

The study emphasizes the importance of designing VR experiences that promote group activities rather than passive content consumption, suggesting that this approach can help reduce feelings of loneliness among older adults.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Tackling Loneliness and Isolation in Older Adults With Virtual Reality: How do We Move Forward? Finnegan, DJ., Campbell, S.[2023]

The ALONE scale is a reliable and valid tool for screening severe loneliness in older adults, showing a strong correlation with the established UCLA-20 Loneliness Questionnaire in a study of 199 ambulatory clinic participants.

With a test-retest reliability score of 0.89, the ALONE scale is easy to administer in clinical settings, making it a practical option for healthcare providers to identify loneliness among older adults.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Validation of the ALONE Scale: A Clinical Measure of Loneliness. Deol, ES., Yamashita, K., Elliott, S., et al.[2022]

Loneliness significantly impacts mental health and physical well-being, with interventions primarily focusing on older adults, despite younger populations also being highly affected.

Technological solutions, including interactive digital tools like conversational agents and robots, show promise in addressing loneliness among younger people, suggesting that tailored interventions could enhance user engagement and effectiveness.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Understanding Loneliness in Younger People: Review of the Opportunities and Challenges for Loneliness Interventions. Shah, HA., Househ, M.[2023]

A study involving 74 adults aged 18-75 showed that using the social VR platform Altspace VR significantly reduced feelings of loneliness and social anxiety compared to real-world interactions.

Participants who regularly socialized with friends in the VR environment reported even lower levels of loneliness and anxiety, suggesting that social VR can foster a sense of belonging and may serve as an effective intervention for mental health during and beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Social virtual reality helps to reduce feelings of loneliness and social anxiety during the Covid-19 pandemic. Kenyon, K., Kinakh, V., Harrison, J.[2023]

Patients with coronary heart disease prefer loneliness reduction interventions that align with their social norms and involve their social network members.

The design of such interventions should be tailored to individual preferences, considering factors like existing relationships, the need for mental energy, and the structure and timing of the intervention.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

One size does not fit all: A qualitative study exploring preferences and barriers towards the design of a loneliness reduction intervention in patients with coronary heart disease. Blakoe, M., Berg, SK., Højskov, IE., et al.[2022]

A scoping review of 29 studies found that interventions using social robots or computer agents can effectively reduce loneliness in older adults, primarily by providing companionship and facilitating social interactions.

While most studies reported positive outcomes, some negative effects, such as feelings of sadness when robots were removed, highlight the need for careful consideration in the design and implementation of these interventions.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Friends from the Future: A Scoping Review of Research into Robots and Computer Agents to Combat Loneliness in Older People. Gasteiger, N., Loveys, K., Law, M., et al.[2022]

This scoping review aims to identify the facilitators and barriers to using virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) in aged care settings, particularly to combat loneliness among older adults, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The review will analyze existing studies and provide insights into how VR/AR can enhance social engagement for older adults, with the goal of informing future research and practical applications in care settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Facilitators and barriers to using virtual reality and augmented reality and its impact on social engagement in aged care settings: a scoping review protocol. To-Miles, F., Mann, J., Hung, L.[2022]

The DELONELINESS study aims to explore the psychological experiences of loneliness in older adults through semi-structured interviews with up to 60 participants aged 65 and older, which will help inform the development of sensor-based technologies to detect loneliness.

The study has received ethical approval from King's College London and the University of Sussex, ensuring that participants' rights and well-being are protected while their insights contribute to improving technology for health aging.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Understanding the psychological experiences of loneliness in later life: qualitative protocol to inform technology development. Rees, J., Liu, W., Ourselin, S., et al.[2023]

The paper presents a comprehensive survey of loneliness and social isolation solutions for older adults, emphasizing the need for multidisciplinary approaches that integrate technology, gerontology, social psychology, and urban design.

It introduces a wearable-based technological framework that utilizes machine learning to measure and manage loneliness, validated through a proof-of-concept, highlighting the potential for innovative solutions to address these growing issues among the elderly.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Managing Perceived Loneliness and Social-Isolation Levels for Older Adults: A Survey with Focus on Wearables-Based Solutions. Site, A., Lohan, ES., Jolanki, O., et al.[2022]

A study involving 160 college students found that passive sensing through smartphones and Fitbits can effectively detect levels of loneliness, achieving an accuracy of 80.2% in identifying loneliness and 88.4% in detecting changes in loneliness over a semester.

Behavioral patterns associated with high loneliness included less time spent outside during evenings and reduced participation in social events, while increased activity and less sedentary behavior were linked to decreased loneliness, suggesting potential intervention strategies using mobile technology.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Identifying Behavioral Phenotypes of Loneliness and Social Isolation with Passive Sensing: Statistical Analysis, Data Mining and Machine Learning of Smartphone and Fitbit Data. Doryab, A., Villalba, DK., Chikersal, P., et al.[2020]

A scoping review of 24 studies on assistive technologies for people with dementia in long-term care revealed that while most focused on engagement and mood, only one study directly addressed loneliness, highlighting a gap in research.

The review suggests that assistive technologies, such as social robots and multimedia systems, have the potential to improve social engagement and quality of life for individuals with dementia, but more targeted research is needed to evaluate their effectiveness in reducing loneliness specifically.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Can technology impact loneliness in dementia? A scoping review on the role of assistive technologies in delivering psychosocial interventions in long-term care. Budak, KB., Atefi, G., Hoel, V., et al.[2023]

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