Virtual Reality Training to Support Daily Activities for People Living With Dementia
ConditionDementia
Trial statusNot yet recruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18+
SponsorIndiana University
About this trial
This study will test whether a home-based virtual reality training program can help people living with dementia practice everyday activities. Many people with dementia experience difficulty completing instrumental activities of daily living, such as preparing food, washing dishes, managing money, or completing household tasks. Virtual reality may provide a safe and engaging way to practice these activities in a realistic environment.
Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups. One group will use a virtual reality training program focused on everyday activities, and the other group will complete cognitive stimulation activities, such as word puzzles. The study will last four weeks, with 30-minute sessions completed at home five times per week. Participants will complete assessments at the beginning of the study, after the four-week program, and again four weeks later.
The study team hypothesizes that people who use the virtual reality training program may show greater improvements in everyday activity performance, engagement, and quality of life compared with people who complete traditional cognitive stimulation activities.
Eligibility criteria
This trial does not accept healthy volunteersQualifiers
Clinical diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease or a dementia-related condition that shares similar or overlapping symptoms with Alzheimer's disease, confirmed by a licensed healthcare provider (e.g., neurologist, geriatrician, or primary care physician); for caregiver-reported diagnoses, supporting documentation must be obtained prior to enrollment.
MMSE score between 20 to 25 (mild dementia)
Capacity to consent
Ability to engage meaningfully in at least one IADL task relevant to the intervention, ensuring capacity to interact with the functional tasks targeted within the VR system.
Disqualifiers
Impaired reasoning/judgment that affects daily life
Severe visual, hearing, or motor impairments that would limit the participant's ability to use VR safely or engage with the system's content.
Significant psychiatric or neurological conditions (e.g., active psychosis, uncontrolled depression, recent seizures) that may interfere with participation or safety.
Medical conditions that pose safety risks, including those that could be aggravated by visual immersion (e.g., uncontrolled vertigo, history of VR-induced motion sickness).
Trial design
Design model
Parallel
Treatments tested in this trial
At-Home VR-Based IADL Training
DeviceThe intervention is designed to provide safe, structured, and repeatable practice of everyday activities in a virtual environment.
Cognitive Stimulation Activities
BehavioralThis intervention includes structured word-based cognitive activities (e.g., crossword puzzles, logic games).
Treatment groups
40 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groupsGroup A: VR-Based IADL TrainingExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group B: Cognitive Stimulation ControlActive comparator 1 intervention
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
Change in Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM)
The COPM will be used to measure self-perceived performance and satisfaction with meaningful IADLs. People living with dementia, or caregivers when needed, identify important activities and rate performance and satisfaction on a 1-10 scale. A change of 2 or more points in performance is considered clinically meaningful.
Time frame
Week 0 Baseline, Week 4 immediately post-intervention, and Week 8 follow-upSecondary outcomes
1
Change in Cognitive Performance Test (CPT)
CPT is a performance-based measure of cognitive-functional capacity. In this study, the investigators will use it to examine participants' performance on IADL tasks embedded within the VR environment. This approach reflects their ability to complete complex tasks that demand higher-level cognitive processes such as planning, problem-solving, and working memory.
Time frame
Week 0 Baseline, Week 4 immediately post-intervention, and Week 8 follow-up2
Change in Kettle Test
The Kettle Test is a brief and ecologically valid assessment of everyday problem-solving and executive function by observing participants' ability to prepare a hot beverage. It involves multiple steps, requiring sequencing, planning, and attention skills that are targeted in the VR training module.
Time frame
Week 0 Baseline, Week 4 immediately post-intervention, and Week 8 follow-up3
Change in Kohlman Evaluation of Living Skills (KELS)
The KELS measures an individual's ability to perform essential living skills needed to live safely and independently. Specifically, the investigators will conduct the money management subtasks: including using cash to purchase items and paying utility bills.
Time frame
Week 0 Baseline, Week 4 immediately post-intervention, and Week 8 follow-up4
Change in Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
The MMSE is a widely used brief screening tool for detecting and measuring cognitive impairments. It is comprised of 11 questions that test orientation, registration, attention and calculation, recall, and language.
Time frame
Week 0 Baseline, Week 4 immediately post-intervention, and Week 8 follow-upOther outcomes
1
Post-VR Intervention Interview
Participants within the VR-Based IADL Training arm and their caregivers will participate in a semi-structured interview. This will explore usability, emotional responses, task realism, and any perceived changes in everyday function. These findings will provide valuable context for interpreting results and will help guide iterative design improvements.
Time frame
Week 4 immediately post-interventionLocations
Sponsors and contacts
Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.
Indiana University
Lead sponsor
Alzheimer's Association
Collaborator
Source ClinicalTrials.gov
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