The Tandem VR™ protocol: Synchronized nature-based and other outdoor experiences in virtual reality for hospice patients and their caregivers

IF 1.4 Q4 MEDICINE, RESEARCH & EXPERIMENTAL Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications Pub Date : 2024-06-22 DOI:10.1016/j.conctc.2024.101318

O. McAnirlin , J. Thrift , F. Li , J.K. Pope , M.H.E.M. Browning , P.P. Moutogiannis , G. Thomas , E. Farrell , M.M. Evatt , T. Fasolino

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Abstract

Background

Nature-based and other outdoor virtual reality (VR) experiences in head-mounted displays (HMDs) offer powerful, non-pharmacological tools for hospice teams to help patients undergoing end-of-life (EOL) transitions. However, the psychological distress of the patient-caregiver dyad is interconnected and highlights the interdependence and responsiveness to distress as a unit. Hospice care services and healthcare need strategies to help patients and informal caregivers with EOL transitions.

Methods

Our study uses the synchronized Tandem VR ^TM approach where patient-caregiver dyads experience immersive nature-based and other outdoor VR content. This mixed methods study will recruit 20 patient-caregiver dyads (N = 40) enrolled in home hospice services nearing EOL. Dyads will experience a personalized nature-based and other outdoor VR experience lasting 5–15 min. Self-reported questionnaires and semi-structured interviews will be collected pre/post the VR intervention to identify the impacts of Tandem VR ^TM experiences on the QOL, pain, and fear of death in patient-caregiver dyads enrolled with hospice services. Additionally, this protocol will determine the acceptance of Tandem VR ^TM experiences by dyads as a non-pharmacological modality for addressing patient and caregiver needs. Acceptance will be quantified by the number of dyads accepting or declining the VR experience during recruitment.

Discussion

Using personalized, nature-based and other outdoor VR content, the patient-caregiver dyads can simultaneously engage in an immersive encounter may help alleviate symptoms associated with declining health and EOL phases for the patient and the often overburdened caregiver. This protocol focuses on meeting the need for person-centered, non-pharmacological interventions to reduce physical, psychological, and spiritual distress.

Trial registration

NCT06186960.

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Tandem VR™ 协议：在虚拟现实中为安宁疗护患者及其护理人员同步提供基于自然的体验和其他户外体验

背景头戴式显示器（HMD）中基于自然的虚拟现实（VR）体验和其他户外虚拟现实（VR）体验为临终关怀团队提供了强大的非药物工具，可帮助正在经历生命末期（EOL）转变的患者。然而，患者-护理者二元组合的心理困扰是相互关联的，突出了作为一个单元的相互依存性和对困扰的反应能力。我们的研究采用同步串联 VR TM 方法，让患者-护理者二人组体验身临其境的自然和其他户外 VR 内容。这项混合方法研究将招募 20 个病人-护理人员二人组（N = 40），他们都参加了临终关怀服务。二人组将体验 5-15 分钟的个性化自然和其他户外 VR 体验。将在 VR 干预前后收集自我报告问卷和半结构式访谈，以确定 Tandem VR TM 体验对接受临终关怀服务的患者-护理人员二人组的 QOL、疼痛和死亡恐惧的影响。此外，该方案还将确定患者和护理人员对串联 VR TM 体验作为一种非药物治疗方式的接受程度，以满足患者和护理人员的需求。讨论利用个性化、基于自然和其他户外 VR 内容，患者和护理人员可以同时进行身临其境的体验，这可能有助于减轻患者和往往负担过重的护理人员与健康衰退和临终关怀阶段相关的症状。该方案侧重于满足对以人为本的非药物干预的需求，以减轻生理、心理和精神痛苦。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications Pharmacology, Toxicology and Pharmaceutics-Pharmacology

CiteScore

2.70

自引率

6.70%

发文量

146

审稿时长

20 weeks

期刊介绍： Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications is an international peer reviewed open access journal that publishes articles pertaining to all aspects of clinical trials, including, but not limited to, design, conduct, analysis, regulation and ethics. Manuscripts submitted should appeal to a readership drawn from a wide range of disciplines including medicine, life science, pharmaceutical science, biostatistics, epidemiology, computer science, management science, behavioral science, and bioethics. Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications is unique in that it is outside the confines of disease specifications, and it strives to increase the transparency of medical research and reduce publication bias by publishing scientifically valid original research findings irrespective of their perceived importance, significance or impact. Both randomized and non-randomized trials are within the scope of the Journal. Some common topics include trial design rationale and methods, operational methodologies and challenges, and positive and negative trial results. In addition to original research, the Journal also welcomes other types of communications including, but are not limited to, methodology reviews, perspectives and discussions. Through timely dissemination of advances in clinical trials, the goal of Contemporary Clinical Trials Communications is to serve as a platform to enhance the communication and collaboration within the global clinical trials community that ultimately advances this field of research for the benefit of patients.