Virtual Reality Music in Geriatric Inpatients

Launched by ST. MARY'S RESEARCH CENTER, CANADA · Jul 22, 2024

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring the use of virtual reality (VR) music experiences to help improve the mental health of older adults who are hospitalized. Researchers believe that listening to music through immersive VR can be a fun and effective way to support the emotional well-being of seniors during their hospital stay. The study will focus on older adults aged 60 and above who are medically stable and admitted to a specific unit at St. Mary's Hospital.

To participate, individuals must be able to communicate in English or French and not have serious medical issues that would prevent them from joining the study. Participants can expect to enjoy music in a new and exciting way while being monitored for safety. It's important to note that those with certain health conditions, like severe dementia or specific eye problems, may not be eligible to take part. This trial aims to find out if VR music can be a helpful tool for improving the mental health of older patients.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Age of 60 years or older;
• • Medical stability to participate in the trial as determined by treating physician (defined as stable vital signs, absence of new medical events and deteriorating signs),
• • Admitted to the GAU (5 north) at St. Mary's hospital.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Medical instability which limits ability to participate in the study (unstable vital signs, delirium, new medical events, deteriorating signs),
• • Unablility to communicate in English or French,
• • Behavioural issues/delirium that limit participation in the study,
• • Those who have very severe dementia (using the Reisberg stage 7 which is defined by very limited communication ability, and dependence for all self-care
• • Those without sufficient auditory acuity to undergo assessment and participate in the intervention, which affects their ability to communicate their consent for this study and to listen to music
• • Ophthalmological conditions which affects their ability to participate in the immersive VR (recent eye surgery, severe macular degeneration, severe glaucoma, epilepsy and seizures, etc.).