3377 - TOWARD VIRTUAL REALITY ADAPTED TO PALLIATIVE AND END-OF-LIFE CARE: COLLABORATING WITH ALL STAKEHOLDERS TO CO-CREATE DIGITAL CONTENT

Session: 3344 - VIRTUAL REALITY INTERVENTIONS FOR ANXIETY ACROSS THE LIFESPAN: CLINICAL APPLICATIONS IN PEDIATRIC, ADULT, AND GERIATRIC POPULATIONS
AUTHORS:
Pelletier Pénelope (Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal ~ Montreal ~ Canada) , Rigoulat Célia (École Universitaire de Recherche (EUR) Healthy, Université Côte d'Azur ~ Nice ~ France) , Dubois Mégan (Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal ~ Montreal ~ Canada) , Caamano Carlota (Centre de recherche de l'Institut universitaire de gériatrie de Montréal (CRIUGM) - Innovation, Technology, and Cognition (INTECOG) Laboratory ~ Montreal ~ Canada) , Turk Céline (Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal ~ Montreal ~ Canada) , Moreno Alexander (Department of Psychology, Université de Montréal ~ Montreal ~ Canada)
Abstract text:
Introduction:
Virtual reality (VR) has demonstrated efficacy in managing physical and psychological symptoms; however, its role in supporting family caregivers of individuals receiving palliative care remains underexplored. The VR experience Come with me™ was co-created by the Canadian start-up Nipper Media in collaboration with stakeholders specializing in palliative care. This codesign process resulted in an immersive experience tailored to the unique needs and context of palliative and end-of-life care.


Purpose:
To examine the impact of the Canadian VR application Come with me™ on anxiety levels among family caregivers of individuals receiving end-of-life care.


Method:
Outcome measures included the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI), the revised Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS-r), the System Usability Scale (SUS), and visual analogue scales assessing satisfaction and perceived safety.


Results:
Following a single VR session, participants reported a significant reduction in anxiety levels, with no symptoms of cybersickness. Usability ratings were excellent, and participants reported high levels of satisfaction and a strong sense of security during the experience.


Conclusion:
To our knowledge, this is the first study to demonstrate a significant reduction in anxiety among family caregivers of individuals in end-of-life care following a short, single-session exposure to VR content. Come with me™ appears to be a safe, user-friendly, and promising tool to support the psychological well-being of caregivers in palliative care settings.