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NCT Number: NCT04324216

Three-dimensional Virtual Reality and Hands-on Aromatherapy

A quasi-experimental trial was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of this combination in promoting happiness, perceived stress, sleep quality, experience on meditation, and life satisfaction among institutionalized older adults in Taiwan.

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Key information

Conditions

Mental Health Behavior Dyssomnias Mental Disorders Nervous System Diseases Personal Satisfaction Psychological Well-Being Sleep Disorders, Intrinsic Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders Sleep Wake Disorders

Age range

65 year–99 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

National Taiwan Normal University

Taipei, Taiwan

About this study

Background: In Taiwan, which has one of the most rapidly aging populations in the world, it is becoming increasingly critical to promote successful aging strategies that are effective, easily usable, and acceptable to institutionalized older adults. Although many practitioners and professionals have explored aromatherapy and identified its positive psychological benefits, the effectiveness of a combination of 3D virtual reality and hands-on aromatherapy remains unknown.

Objectives: A quasi-experimental trial was designed to evaluate the effectiveness of this combination in promoting happiness, perceived stress, sleep quality, experience on meditation, and life satisfaction among institutionalized older adults in Taiwan.

Methods: Sixty institutionalized elderly participants underwent the combination program or were in a control group. Weekly two-hour sessions were implemented for 9 weeks. The outcome variables were happiness perceived, stress, sleep quality, experience on meditation, and life satisfaction, which were assessed at baseline, and after the intervention.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • An ability to understand verbal instructions
  • An ability to provide simple responses
  • An ability to operate a joystick freely with at least one hand

Exclusion criteria

  • A history of severe psychiatric conditions;
  • Dementia
  • Significant visual or hearing impairment;
  • Marked upper motor difficulties that could affect the participants' ability to participate in the study
  • Currently suffering from severe illnesses, e.g., stroke and Parkinson disease.

Treatment and study plan

3D virtual reality and hands-on aromatherapy

Other

Participants will receive 8-session 3DVR aroma therapy activities. Each session was delivered over 2 hours once a week, and at each session, the participant received hands-on guidance for preparing an aromatherapy product that they could use for the next seven days.

Primary outcomes

  1. Happiness

    Time frame: nine weeks

    The Oxford Happiness Inventory (OHI) was used to measure happiness. The OHI consists of 29 items, Each item was scored on a Likert-type scale of 1-4, with higher scores indicating a higher level of happiness.

  2. Perceived stress

    Time frame: nine week

    The Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-14) consists of 14 items. Each item was scored on a Likert-type scale that ranged from 0 (never) to four (very often). With higher scores indicating a higher level of stress.

  3. Sleep quality

    Time frame: nine weeks

    The Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) was consists of 14 items. Each item was scored on a Likert-type scale that ranged from 1 to 4, with higher scores indicating a lower level of sleep quality.

  4. Experience on meditation

    Time frame: nine weeks

    A shortened version of the 10-item Experience on meditation (EOM-EL). Each item was scored on a Likert-type scale of 1-5, with higher scores indicating a higher level of experience on meditation.

  5. Life satisfaction

    Time frame: nine weeks

    This scale is a short-form version containing 10 items from the 20-item Life Satisfaction Index A (LSIA). The response options for scoring were 0 indicating "Disagree" and 1 indicating "Agree". The total raw scores ranged from 0 to 10, with higher scores indicating a higher level of life satisfaction.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

National Taiwan Normal University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effectiveness of a Combination of Three-dimensional Virtual Reality and Hands-on Aromatherapy in Improving Institutionalized Older Adults' Psychological Health

Important dates

Study start
2019
Primary completion
2019
Study completion
2019
First posted
Mar 27, 2020
Registry last updated
Apr 8, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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