The Tandem VR™ protocol: Synchronized nature-based and other outdoor experiences in virtual reality for hospice patients and their caregivers

Nature-based and other outdoor virtual reality (VR) experiences in head-mounted displays (HMDs) offer powerful, non-pharmacological tools for hospice teams to help patients undergoing end-of-life (EOL) transitions. However, the psychological distress of the patient-caregiver dyad is interconnected and highlights the interdependence and responsiveness to distress as a unit. Hospice care services and healthcare need strategies to help patients and informal caregivers with EOL transitions. Our study uses the synchronized Tandem VRTM approach where patient-caregiver dyads experience immersive nature-based and other outdoor VR content. This mixed methods study will recruit 20 patient-caregiver dyads (N = 40) enrolled in home hospice services nearing EOL. Dyads will experience a personalized nature-based and other outdoor VR experience lasting 5–15 min. Self-reported questionnaires and semi-structured interviews will be collected pre/post the VR intervention to identify the impacts of Tandem VRTM experiences on the QOL, pain, and fear of death in patient-caregiver dyads enrolled with hospice services. Additionally, this protocol will determine the acceptance of Tandem VRTM experiences by dyads as a non-pharmacological modality for addressing patient and caregiver needs. Acceptance will be quantified by the number of dyads accepting or declining the VR experience during recruitment. Using personalized, nature-based and other outdoor VR content, the patient-caregiver dyads can simultaneously engage in an immersive encounter may help alleviate symptoms associated with declining health and EOL phases for the patient and the often overburdened caregiver. This protocol focuses on meeting the need for person-centered, non-pharmacological interventions to reduce physical, psychological, and spiritual distress. NCT06186960.