Using Virtual Reality Travel to Reduce Loneliness in Older Adults
VRT
Virtual Reality Travel (VRT) as a Loneliness Intervention for Older Adults: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial
1 other identifier
interventional
40
1 country
3
Brief Summary
This study aims to investigate whether and how virtual reality travel (VRT) can reduce loneliness among older adults. It will utilize a mixed-methods research design that combines an randomly assigned experiment with follow-up semi-structured interviews. This is a pilot study and it is essential to establish the feasibility and acceptability of the protocol, assess the tolerability of VR technology in this population prior to conducting a full-scale RCT, and generate preliminary effect size estimates to inform future sample size calculations.
Trial Health
Trial Health Score
Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach
participants targeted
Target at P25-P50 for not_applicable
Started Jun 2026
3 active sites
Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.
Trial Relationships
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Study Timeline
Key milestones and dates
First Submitted
Initial submission to the registry
May 25, 2026
CompletedStudy Start
First participant enrolled
June 1, 2026
CompletedFirst Posted
Study publicly available on registry
June 12, 2026
CompletedPrimary Completion
Last participant's last visit for primary outcome
December 30, 2026
ExpectedStudy Completion
Last participant's last visit for all outcomes
May 30, 2027
June 12, 2026
June 1, 2026
7 months
May 25, 2026
June 8, 2026
Conditions
Outcome Measures
Primary Outcomes (1)
loneliness
Loneliness was assessed using a multi-item visual analog scale (VAS), with items presented as 100 mm horizontal lines anchored by "Not at all" (left) and "Extremely" (right). Items were adapted from the University of California, Los Angeles Loneliness Scale and modified to capture present-moment experience using a "Right now…" stem, enabling assessment of state-level rather than trait-level loneliness. Participants were instructed to indicate their current feelings by placing a single perpendicular mark on each line corresponding to their response. VAS scores were calculated by measuring the distance in millimeters from the left anchor to the participant's mark, yielding a continuous score ranging from 0 to 100 for each item. Item scores were then averaged to compute an overall loneliness score, with higher values indicating higher levels of state loneliness.
Baseline and following completion of the intervention session (approximately 20-30 minutes after baseline assessment)
Secondary Outcomes (2)
positive emotions
Baseline and following completion of the intervention session (approximately 20-30 minutes after baseline assessment)
meaning in life
Baseline and following completion of the intervention session (approximately 20-30 minutes after baseline assessment)
Study Arms (2)
Virtual reality travel group
EXPERIMENTALParticipants in the VR travel group experience a 13-minute-and-44-second VR tour of Bali Island, Indonesia.
Attention control group
ACTIVE COMPARATORParticipants in the attention control group complete 13-minute-and-44-second symmetric puzzles featuring leaves, birds, and insects.
Interventions
Participants in the attention control group complete 13 minutes and 44 seconds symmetric puzzles featuring leaves, birds, and insects.
Participants in the VR travel group experience a 13-minute-and-44-second VR tour of Bali Island, Indonesia.
Eligibility Criteria
You may qualify if:
- Adults aged 65 years or older
- Express willingness to engage with VR technology
You may not qualify if:
- \- No self-reported physical, sensory, neurological, or cognitive conditions that would make VR use unsafe or impractical (e.g., uncontrolled seizures, severe vertigo, or significant uncorrected vision/hearing impairments).
Contact the study team to confirm eligibility.
Sponsors & Collaborators
Study Sites (3)
Evergreen Village at Bloomington
Bloomington, Indiana, 47401, United States
Bell Trace
Bloomington, Indiana, 47408, United States
Area 10 Agency on Aging
Ellettsville, Indiana, 47429, United States
Central Study Contacts
Study Design
- Study Type
- interventional
- Phase
- not applicable
- Allocation
- RANDOMIZED
- Masking
- NONE
- Purpose
- TREATMENT
- Intervention Model
- PARALLEL
- Sponsor Type
- OTHER
- Responsible Party
- PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
- PI Title
- Associate Professor
Study Record Dates
First Submitted
May 25, 2026
First Posted
June 12, 2026
Study Start
June 1, 2026
Primary Completion (Estimated)
December 30, 2026
Study Completion (Estimated)
May 30, 2027
Last Updated
June 12, 2026
Record last verified: 2026-06