Nature-Based Virtual Reality Feasibility and Acceptability Pilot for Caregiver Respite

Area of Science:

• Psychology
• Digital Health
• Environmental Psychology

Background:

• Home-based informal caregivers (CGs) for cancer patients frequently experience emotional distress, including anxiety and depression.
• The natural environment is recognized for its therapeutic benefits, offering calmness and restoration.
• Virtual reality (VR) presents an innovative approach to deliver nature-based interventions for emotional symptom management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a 10-minute nature-based VR experience for home-based informal caregivers.
• To gather qualitative insights into caregivers' subjective experiences with VR technology.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-method pilot study involving nine informal caregivers.
• Participants underwent a 10-minute nature-based VR session.
• Feasibility, acceptability, and VR symptom questionnaires were administered, followed by semi-structured interviews with five participants.

Main Results:

• The nature-based VR intervention demonstrated high feasibility (mean score 15.11/16) and acceptability (mean score 15.44/16).
• Participants reported low levels of VR-related symptoms (mean score 1.56/27).
• Qualitative data indicated predominantly positive perceptions of the VR experience.

Conclusions:

• Nature-based VR interventions are feasible and acceptable for home-based informal caregivers.
• VR nature experiences hold potential as a supportive tool for managing caregiver emotional symptoms.
• Future research will focus on testing this intervention with informal caregivers of end-of-life patients.