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NCT Number: NCT07567391

Virtual Reality Therapy for Improving Caregiver and Patient Quality of Life in Home-Based Palliative Care in Saudi Arabia

This randomized controlled trial evaluates the efficacy of a culturally adapted virtual reality (VR) nature therapy intervention aimed at improving the quality of life (QOL) and emotional well-being of palliative patients and their family caregivers in Saudi Arabia. The study involves immersive VR sessions depicting natural environments, including Saudi-specific landscapes, delivered to patient-caregiver dyads at home. Outcomes include self-reported QOL measures, psychophysiological parameters, and qualitative feedback.

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Key information

Conditions

Virtual Reality Caregivers Palliative Care Quality of Life

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

About this study

This randomized controlled trial investigates the impact of immersive Virtual Reality (VR) nature therapy on quality of life and emotional well-being among palliative care patients and their caregivers in Saudi Arabia. The intervention includes culturally adapted, high-fidelity VR nature environments designed to promote psychological comfort, reduce stress, and provide sensory engagement aligned with local preferences. Participants-dyads of patients and their primary caregivers-will be randomly assigned to either the VR intervention group or a waitlist control group. The study explores outcomes such as changes in quality of life, anxiety, and emotional support using validated patient-reported outcome measures. This trial is among the first in the region to evaluate digital interventions for supportive care in palliative settings and aims to inform scalable, culturally relevant approaches to holistic symptom management in advanced illness.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: No

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Adult patients (≥18 years) receiving palliative care in Saudi Arabia
  • Primary family caregivers living with and providing daily care to the patient
  • Ability to provide informed consent
  • Fluent in Arabic

Exclusion criteria

  • Severe cognitive impairment or psychiatric conditions that prevent use of VR
  • History of epilepsy or vestibular disorders
  • Inability to understand or follow instructions for using VR equipment

Treatment and study plan

Immersive Nature VR

Device

The VR intervention will consist of a series of sessions using high-resolution VR headsets and user-friendly handheld controllers. The virtual environments will include six immersive nature scenes-three tailored to Saudi cultural preferences (e.g., desert oases, wadis, and Mecca-related sites), and three universally calming settings (e.g., beach, forest, and mountain landscapes). The intervention is designed to offer therapeutic sensory engagement and emotional respite.

Primary outcomes

  1. Change in Quality of Life (PROMIS-29)

    Time frame: Baseline (Week 0) and Week 5 (post-intervention)

    The PROMIS-29 assesses health-related quality of life across seven domains: physical function, anxiety, depression, fatigue, sleep disturbance, social participation, and pain interference. Each domain is scored on a standardized T-score scale ranging from 0 to 100. Higher scores indicate better functioning for physical function and social participation domains, and worse symptoms for anxiety, depression, fatigue, pain interference, and sleep disturbance.

  2. Change in Heart Rate Variability (HRV)

    Time frame: Baseline (Week 0) and Week 5 (Post-intervention)

    Heart rate variability (HRV) will be measured using the MUSE 2 headband. HRV metrics will be recorded prior to the first VR session (baseline) and during intervention sessions. Analysis will compare HRV at baseline and at the end of the intervention. Higher HRV values indicate better autonomic nervous system regulation and greater stress resilience.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Caregiver Stress and Emotional State

    Time frame: Baseline (Week 0) and Week 5 (post-intervention)

    Caregiver stress and emotional distress will be assessed using validated self-report scales (e.g., perceived stress and emotional distress measures). Higher scores indicate greater levels of stress and emotional burden.

  2. Participant Engagement and Satisfaction (Qualitative)

    Time frame: Week 5 (post-intervention)

    Semi-structured interviews will be conducted to explore participant engagement, acceptability, emotional impact, and cultural relevance of the VR intervention. Interviews will be conducted by trained research staff and analyzed using qualitative methods

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Mohammed O Alanazi, PhD

CONTACT

[email protected]

+966533993350

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

University of Bisha

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Virtual Reality Nature Therapy for Palliative Patients and Caregivers in Saudi Arabia: A Randomized Controlled Trial to Support Quality of Life and Cultural Adaptation

Acronym: VIRTIC-Hajj

Important dates

Study start
2026
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
May 5, 2026
Registry last updated
May 5, 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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