Efficacy of VR Educational Program on Empathy and Attitudes Toward Dementia in Caregivers

NCT06072274 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: N202308052
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 227
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This randomized controlled trial evaluated a single-session virtual reality (VR) dementia simulation with guided small-group reflection compared with a time-matched, instructor-led lecture. A total of 227 caregivers of people with a formal diagnosis of dementia were enrolled and randomized. Empathy and attitudes toward dementia were assessed at baseline, immediately after the session, and 1 month after the session. Caregiver burden and psychological distress were assessed at baseline and 1 month after the session.

Conditions

Dementia; Caregiver Burden

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Change in empathy, measured by Jefferson Scale of Empathy

  Empathy is one of the major outcomes which we expect to be improved after the VR education program on dementia. The Jefferson Scale of Empathy (JSE): This scale is used to assess the empathy in caregivers. It is rated on a Likert seven-point scale, with 1 indicating strongly disagree and 7 indicating strongly agree. The scale consists of 20 items and is divided into three major dimensions: perspective taking, compassionate care, and standing in the patient's shoes. The total score ranges from 20 to 140, with higher scores indicating a more positive level of empathy.

  Immediate post-session

• Change in empathy, measured by Jefferson Scale of Empathy at 1 month

  Empathy is one of the major outcomes which we expect to be improved after the VR education program on dementia. The Jefferson Scale of Empathy (JSE): This scale is used to assess the empathy in caregivers. It is rated on a Likert seven-point scale, with 1 indicating strongly disagree and 7 indicating strongly agree. The scale consists of 20 items and is divided into three major dimensions: perspective taking, compassionate care, and standing in the patient's shoes. The total score ranges from 20 to 140, with higher scores indicating a more positive level of empathy.

  1 month post-session

• Change in attitude, measured by Approach to Dementia Questionnaire

  Approach is one of the major outcomes which we expect to be improved after the VR education program on dementia. The Approach to Dementia Questionnaire (ADQ) is used to assess attitudes toward dementia care. The questionnaire consists of two dimensions: hope and person-centeredness, with a total of 19 items. It is rated on a Likert five-point scale, with 1 indicating strongly disagree and 5 indicating strongly agree. The total score ranges from 19 to 95, with higher scores indicating a more positive attitude of caregivers toward dementia care.

  Immediate post-session

• Change in attitude, measured by Approach to Dementia Questionnaire at 1 month

  Approach is one of the major outcomes which we expect to be improved after the VR education program on dementia. The Approach to Dementia Questionnaire (ADQ) is used to assess attitudes toward dementia care. The questionnaire consists of two dimensions: hope and person-centeredness, with a total of 19 items. It is rated on a Likert five-point scale, with 1 indicating strongly disagree and 5 indicating strongly agree. The total score ranges from 19 to 95, with higher scores indicating a more positive attitude of caregivers toward dementia care.

  1 month post-session

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Change in Caregivers' burden, measured by Zarit Burden Interview

  Baseline and 1 month post-session

• Caregivers' mental health status, measured by Brief Symptom Rating Scale-5

  Baseline and 1 month post-session

Study Arms (2)

Virtual reality dementia simulation with guided reflection

EXPERIMENTAL

A single 3-hour virtual reality (VR) dementia simulation delivered in three consecutive segments, each followed by guided small-group reflection.

Behavioral: Virtual reality dementia simulation with guided reflection

Traditional dementia education (lecture)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Traditional dementia education (lecture) of equal duration.

Behavioral: Traditional dementia education (lecture)

Interventions

Virtual reality dementia simulation with guided reflection BEHAVIORAL

A single 3-hour VR dementia simulation delivered in three consecutive segments, each followed by guided small-group reflection.

Virtual reality dementia simulation with guided reflection

Traditional dementia education (lecture) BEHAVIORAL

Instructor-led lecture of equal duration

Traditional dementia education (lecture)

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 20 Years - 100 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Over 20 years;
• Speak Chinese;
• Currently providing care to a person with a formal diagnosis of dementia (paid formal caregivers or unpaid family caregivers).

You may not qualify if:

• Those who are unable to use VR devices due to certain physical or mental situations;
• Those who have fear/disgust for VR devices;
• Those who feel dizzy after using VR devices;
• For family caregivers: the care recipient is currently residing in a care facility.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Taipei Medical University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Taipei Medical University

Taipei, Taiwan

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Bai D, Chiu HL, Lin SC, Tan Cheng Kian K, Hsu YL, Lin GH. Enhancing empathy and attitudes toward dementia among formal caregivers through virtual reality: a randomized controlled trial. Innov Aging. 2025 Dec 15;10(4):igaf145. doi: 10.1093/geroni/igaf145. eCollection 2026.

  PMID: 41873384 DERIVED

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Dementia; Caregiver Burden

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Brain Diseases; Central Nervous System Diseases; Nervous System Diseases; Neurocognitive Disorders; Mental Disorders; Stress, Psychological; Behavioral Symptoms; Behavior

Study Officials

• Dorothy Bai, PhD

  Taipei Medical University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: SUPPORTIVE CARE
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 27, 2023
• First Posted: October 10, 2023
• Study Start: December 9, 2023
• Primary Completion: March 16, 2024
• Study Completion: March 16, 2024
• Last Updated: January 13, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Locations

TW (1)