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VR-Guided Mindfulness for ESKD Caregiver Well-Being
Sponsor: Alexandra Hospital
Summary
This pilot randomized controlled trial aims to evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of a virtual reality (VR)-guided mindfulness intervention for caregivers of patients with end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Thirty ESKD caregivers will be randomly assigned to either a 6-week VR-guided mindfulness intervention or a sham VR control group. The study will assess changes in caregiver burden, stress, anxiety, depression, quality of life, and mindfulness using validated questionnaires. Feasibility outcomes, including recruitment, retention, adherence, and participant experiences, will also be evaluated. The findings will inform the design of a future larger-scale trial and may lead to the development of an accessible, technology-based support option for ESKD caregivers.
Official title: Protocol for Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial: Virtual Reality-Guided Mindfulness Intervention on Psychosocial Well-Being of End-Stage Kidney Disease Caregivers
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
21 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
30
Start Date
2024-08-01
Completion Date
2025-08-01
Last Updated
2024-06-28
Healthy Volunteers
Yes
Conditions
Interventions
VR-guided mindfulness
The VR-guided mindfulness intervention is a 6-week home-based program delivered through an Oculus Quest 3 (or equivalent) headset. Participants practice 10-15 minutes of guided mindfulness exercises daily in immersive virtual environments. The program includes various mindfulness techniques such as body scans, breath awareness, and loving-kindness meditation, designed to reduce stress and improve well-being.
Sham VR
The sham VR intervention is a 6-week home-based program that involves viewing relaxing nature videos without any mindfulness content. Participants use the same VR headset as the experimental group and engage with the sham content for 10-15 minutes daily, matching the duration of the experimental intervention. This sham intervention controls for the effects of using VR technology and engaging in a relaxing activity.