Virtual reality may bring distant families closer — a trial puts it to the test

NCT ID NCT05150990

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: University of California, Santa Barbara Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jul 29, 2026 · Last updated Jul 30, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This trial tests whether shared virtual reality (VR) experiences can improve quality of life, mood, and family closeness for older adults with mild cognitive impairment or dementia who live in senior communities, and for their adult children who live far away. Participants will take part in four weekly sessions of either VR adventures or standard video chat. Researchers will measure changes in well-being, loneliness, depression, and relationship satisfaction in both generations.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: shared virtual reality experiences via the Rendever platform, compared with video chat via Zoom
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a simple, enjoyable way to strengthen family bonds and ease loneliness and caregiver stress for families separated by distance.
What could go wrong: This is a relatively small, early-stage trial. The benefits may be modest or no better than a regular video call, and not all older adults may tolerate or enjoy virtual reality.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Alzheimer disease Caregiver Burden Cognitive Dysfunction dementia Psychological Well-Being

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

ALZHEIMER DISEASE CAREGIVER BURNOUT DEMENTIA FAMILY RELATIONSHIP LONELINESS MENTAL HEALTH WELLNESS 1 QUALITY OF LIFE

Contacts and locations

Locations

Atterdag Village of Solvang

Solvang, California, 93463, United States
Autumn Glen at Dartmouth

Russells Mills, Massachusetts, 02747, United States
Bayberry at Emerald Court

Tewksbury, Massachusetts, 01876, United States
Belmont Calabasas

Calabasas, California, 91302, United States
Benchmark of Norwood (Clapboardtree)

Norwood, Massachusetts, 02062, United States
Brightview Canton

Canton, Massachusetts, 02021, United States
Brightview North Andover

North Andover, Massachusetts, 01845, United States
Cadbury Commons

Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02140, United States
Carriage House at Lee's Farm

Wayland, Massachusetts, 01778, United States
Casa Dorinda

Montecito, California, 93108, United States
Covenant Living at the Samarkand

Santa Barbara, California, 93105, United States
Friendship Manor

Goleta, California, 93117, United States
Garden Court on De La Vina

Santa Barbara, California, 93101, United States
Gardens on Hope

Santa Barbara, California, 93105, United States
Grace Village Apartments

Santa Barbara, California, 93105, United States
Heritage House

Santa Barbara, California, 93111, United States
Laurelwood at The Pinehills

Plymouth, Massachusetts, 02630, United States
Ledgewood Bay Assisted Living

Milford, New Hampshire, 03055, United States
Maravilla

Santa Barbara, California, 93111, United States
Oakmont of Camarillo

Camarillo, California, 93012, United States
Ojai Gables

Ojai, California, 93023, United States
Stone Hill at Andover

Andover, Massachusetts, 01810, United States
Stonebridge at Burlington

Burlington, Massachusetts, 01803, United States
The Linden at Danvers

Danvers, Massachusetts, 01923, United States
Valle Verde

Santa Barbara, California, 93105, United States
Vista Del Monte

Santa Barbara, California, 93105, United States
Youville House Assisted Living

Cambridge, Massachusetts, 02138, United States

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