This will be an open randomized-controlled trial conducted over a 15-month period at MGH with a target total recruitment of 200 participants (the treatment arm plus the control arm). During their hospital stay, recruited patients will participate in one or more sessions of immersive VR-experience (VR-therapy sessions) for up to 20 minutes, every 24-72h of their stay. The mixed-methods design includes collection of quantitative physiological markers (blood pressure, HR, BG), qualitative observations, QoL questionnaire scores, and pre/post VR-session semi-structured interviews. Demographics, diagnoses, use of sedative medication, and factors related to participants’ hospital care experience will be collected by the research team from the hospital’s electronic patient medical records. Episodes of vertigo, dizziness, nausea, agitation, hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, neck pain, headaches, occurring during the hospital stay will be collected and recorded by the research team.
If successful, VRx could become standard of care for individuals with cognitive and physical impairment, representing a less costly, safer, and more ethically acceptable therapy that can reduce the need for sedatives and antidepressants, and improve patient and caregiver quality of life.
FUNDED BY:
SPARK Grant – Centre for Aging and Brain Health Innovation (CABHI), 2018