Virtual reality to improve wellbeing for people receiving palliative care
The Effectiveness of Virtual Reality Interventions Within Specialist Palliative Care (VR-SPC): A Hermeneutic Single Case Efficacy Design (HSCED) Series
This project will try short virtual reality sessions with adults receiving palliative care (and their companions) to see if the experiences help patients meet personal wellbeing goals.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 12 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Lincoln Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Lincoln) |
| Trial ID | NCT07109050 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This exploratory hermeneutic single-case efficacy series will follow up to six adult palliative care patients (and optional companions) over a four-week VR intervention. Patients will set personally meaningful goals for VR use (for example relaxation, bucket-list experiences, or relatedness) and receive up to three tailored immersive sessions using a VR headset. Baseline and pre-/post-session questionnaires will record mental health and wellbeing outcomes, and detailed case studies will track changes over time. The study will be conducted with informed consent at a hospice/site affiliated with the University of Lincoln in England.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults (18+) receiving specialist palliative care at the designated hospice who can consent and are willing and able to engage with VR, with companions eligible if they meet the same criteria.
Not a fit: People who lack capacity to consent, who are judged unable to tolerate or engage with VR (for example due to severe nausea, uncontrolled seizures, or advanced cognitive impairment), or who cannot attend the hospice may not receive benefit.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, tailored VR sessions could improve wellbeing, provide emotional relief, and help patients achieve personally meaningful experiences they cannot access physically.
How similar studies have performed: Previous small studies show VR is largely acceptable and feasible in palliative care with some signals of psychological wellbeing benefit, but repeated-session programs and companion-inclusive approaches are largely untested.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: Participants recieving palliative care must be: * Aged 18 or over (no upper age limit due to the service being lifelong). * Patients deemed to be palliative, receiving specialist care at the designated hospice as either an inpatient or outpatient. * Willing and able to engage in VR interventions as determined by the patients' usual care team. * Able to consent to the research, as assessed by the clinical psychologist supporting recruitment and the primary researcher delivering the VR intervention. Participant companions (carers, relatives) must be: * Aged 18 or over (no upper age limit). * Willing and able to engage in VR interventions and travel to the designated hospice site. * Able to consent to the research, as assessed by the clinical psychologist supporting recruitment and the primary researcher delivering the VR intervention. Exclusion criteria: * Lacking capacity to consent to take part in research as assessed by both the clinical psychologist supporting recruitment and the primary researcher delivering VR. * Exhibiting contraindications as set out by care team including eyesight impairments or neurological conditions such as epilepsy or dementia.
Where this trial is running
Lincoln
- University of Lincoln — Lincoln, United Kingdom (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Nima Professor Moghaddam
- Email: NMoghaddam@lincoln.ac.uk
- Phone: 01522 882000
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.