Virtual Reality in Cognitive Stimulation Therapy for Visually Impaired Older Individuals with Dementia

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Dementia Patients

• Registration Number: NCT06793384
• Lead Sponsor: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Brief Summary

Both visual impairment and dementia are prevalent in the elderly population. Cognitive stimulation therapy (CST) is an evidence-based intervention for people with mild-to-moderate dementia. Virtual reality (VR) has been used in cognitive rehabilitation. However, the efficacy of CST and the feasibility of incorporating VR into therapy targeting people with dementia and visual impairment (PwDVI) have rarely been explored. The current pilot study addressed two issues: 1) To study the efficacy of conventional CST on PwDVI in different cognitive domains and 2) To explore the feasibility and efficacy of VR-CST on PwDVI in various cognitive domains.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2019-09-01
• Primary Completion: 2020-02-28
• Study Completion: 2020-05-31
• Status Verified: 2024-12
• Study First Submitted: 2025-01-20
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-01-20
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-01-20
• Study First Posted: 2025-01-27
• Last Update Posted: 2025-01-27

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 31

Inclusion Criteria

1. Cantonese speakers;
2. suspected or having a medical diagnosis of dementia, with the Montreal Cognitive Assessment 5-minute protocol (MoCA-5) score ranging from 2 to 17, which is equal to the Cantonese Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) score ranging from 10 to 24 by using the conversion table from Wong et al,
3. a diagnosis of mild to moderate visual impairment determined by an optometrist,
4. no other disability including physical illness, learning disability and severe hearing impairment that may affect participation in group activity,
5. not currently on psychiatric medication/cognitive intervention, (6) no history of other neurological diseases, and

(7) did not receive any prior CST.

Exclusion Criteria

1. currently on psychiatric medication/cognitive intervention, (6) no history of other neurological diseases,
2. currently on psychiatric medication/cognitive intervention, (6) no history of other neurological diseases,
3. prior exposure to CST

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
The Hong Kong version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment for the Visually Impaired (HKMoCA-VI)	The assessment was administered three times 15 days before and after treatment.	It is a standarized assessment for global cognition for people with visual impairment.

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Holden Communication Scale	It was administered once one week before and after the intervention.	It is a questionnaire to evaluate the participants' communication and social behavior from a caregiver's perspective. Ratings were given by the formal carers of the old age homes for the visually imapired.
Cantonese version of the Amsterdam-Nijmegan Everyday Language Test (CANELT)	Three times 15 days before and after treatment	The test portrays 20 real-life situations encompassing different communicative functions, was conducted to evaluate functional communication quantitively. Scores were given based on the accuracy and completeness of the main concepts produced by the subjects.
Procedural description of making a ham-and-egg sandwich	The assessment was administered three times 15 days before and after treatment.	A picture depicting a loaf of bread, ham and an egg were presented to the subject and s/he will be asked to describe the procedures of making an egg-and-ham sandwich as detailed as possible.
Synonym judgement	The assessment was administered three times 15 days before and after treatment.	A pair of words were presented auditorily and the participants were asked to judge if the pair of words were synonymous or not.

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

The Hong Kong Society for the Blind; 🇭🇰 Hong Kong, Hong Kong