Tech-based Respite Care for Caregivers and Homebound Older Adults

The goal of this study is to examine the effectiveness of VR-based respite in improving cognitive function, mental health, and quality of life in caregivers and homebound older adults compared to a control group using videos and a usual care group. Participants are randomly assigned to one of three groups: VR intervention, video control, or usual care. The VR group receives immersive VR sessions using the SilVR Adventures platform. The video group receives non-immersive video sessions with similar content. The usual care group receives no additional intervention. Assessments are conducted at baseline, immediate post-intervention, and 3 months post-intervention to measure changes in depression, anxiety, loneliness, quality of life, and other outcomes. The intervention dosage will be 4 weeks (1 sessions/week; 30 min/session). Secondarily, the study explores differences in effectiveness between caregivers and homebound older adults, and potential moderators or mediators such as baseline health status, technological literacy, and social support.

Caregivers (CGs) Inclusion Criteria: * Aged 18 or above * Provide care to at least one homebound older adult (aged 60 or above) * Provide no less than 6 hours of caregiving per week * Able to communicate in either Cantonese, Mandarin or English * Willing to participate for the entire duration * Able to tolerate VR headset for at least 5 minutes (no severe motion sickness/epilepsy) Exclusion Criteria: * History of severe psychiatric disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar) * Severe cognitive impairment (MMSE \