Improving safe medication use at home for caregivers
Safe Use of Medication At Home by Caregivers. Experimental Study
This study tests a virtual reality program to help caregivers of patients taking multiple medications learn how to manage their medications safely at home.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 432 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 85 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Universidad Miguel Hernandez de Elche Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Elche, Alicante) |
| Trial ID | NCT05247801 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This experimental study tests a psychoeducational intervention using virtual reality to help caregivers of multi-pathological and polypharmacy patients manage medication safely at home. The study involves two groups: one receiving the intervention alongside a medication dosing device and a control group using only the dosing device. Participants are randomly assigned to groups, and the effectiveness of the intervention is measured through pre- and post-assessments. The goal is to reduce medication errors and improve health literacy among caregivers.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are caregivers of multi-pathological and polypharmacy patients with a Barthel score of 55 or less, residing in specific Spanish cities.
Not a fit: Patients who are institutionalized for a minimum of three months per year or caregivers with extensive experience in using medication dosing devices may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly reduce medication errors and improve the safety of medication management for caregivers and their patients.
How similar studies have performed: Other studies have shown promise in using psychoeducational interventions to improve medication management, but this specific approach using virtual reality is relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Caregivers of multi-pathological and polypharmacy patients (Barthel equal to or less than 55). * Residence in Alicante, Granada, Madrid, Pamplona, Seville, or Zaragoza (in the patient's home or the family member's home). * At patient's charge for at least six months during the year. Exclusion Criteria: * Caregivers of patients who are institutionalized a minimum of 3 months per year. * Caregivers with experience of more than six months in the use of medication dosing devices. * Health education/profession. * Filing of a property claim in the last 5 years.
Where this trial is running
Elche, Alicante
- Miguel Hernández University — Elche, Alicante, Spain (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: José Joaquín Mira, Ph.D. — Univ. Miguel Hernández; Fundación para el Fomento de la Investigación Sanitaria y Biomédica de la CV
- Study coordinator: José Joaquín Mira, Ph.D.
- Email: jose.mira@umh.es
- Phone: +34966658350
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.