VRx@Home: A virtual reality at-home intervention for persons living with dementia and their care partners

What is this Study about?

VRx@Home is a 5-week virtual reality at-home intervention with the goal to explore whether virtual reality experiences can enhance communication between persons living with dementia and their care partners. We also aim to explore how a head-mounted VR system, which delivers a fully immersive experience compares to a Tablet-based technology.

What Will Happen in This Study?

You and your friend/family member will be asked to watch a series of 360-degree videos (e.g., concert, sporting events, travel destinations) together and then answer a few questions regarding your experience.

The entire intervention will be 5 weeks long and it will take approximately 2 hours per week on sessions with the researcher, with an additional hour on your own. Apart from the equipment drop-off and training sessions, the weekly intervention sessions with the researchers will all be conducted virtually. During these sessions, your interpersonal interactions with each other will be video recorded through a video-conferencing software.

Who is Eligible to Participate in this Study?

  • Persons living with mild-to-moderate dementia who are living at home
  • Person living with dementia has no history of stroke, bypass surgery, or seizure disorders
  • A friend/family care partner who speaks and understands English and is willing to also participate in the intervention
  • Resides in Greater Toronto Area (Toronto, Peel, Halton, York, and Durham regions)
  • Individuals who speak English

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