Sleep

Effect of Virtual Reality-Based Mindfulness Program vs Audio-Guided Mindfulness on Depression, Sleep, and Quality of Life in Dementia Family Caregivers: An Exploratory Randomized Controlled Trial.

Bai D, Wang Y, Lin Y, Liu M • International journal of medical sciences • 2026

TL;DR

Both VR-based and audio-guided mindfulness interventions were associated with within-group improvements in depression, sleep, and quality of life in dementia caregivers, with no statistically significant between-group differences.

Key Findings

Results

Both groups showed significant within-group improvements in depression scores following the six-week mindfulness intervention.

VR group depression improvement: median change of -4.50 (p = .012) on the CES-D scale
Audio group depression improvement: median change of -4.00 (p = .012) on the CES-D scale
Depression was measured using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D)
Total sample size was 16 dementia family caregivers randomized to two groups

Results

Both groups showed significant within-group improvements in sleep quality following the intervention.

VR group sleep quality improvement: median change of -1.50 (p = .012) on the CPSQI
Audio group sleep quality improvement: median change of -1.50 (p = .017) on the CPSQI
Sleep was measured using the Chinese Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (CPSQI)
Lower scores on the CPSQI indicate better sleep quality

Results

Both groups showed significant within-group improvements in quality of life following the intervention.

VR group quality of life improvement: median change of +2.00 (p = .012) on the WHOQOL-BREF Taiwan version
Audio group quality of life improvement: median change of +3.00 (p = .012) on the WHOQOL-BREF Taiwan version
Quality of life was measured using the WHOQOL-BREF Taiwan version

Results

No statistically significant between-group differences were found for any outcome measure.

Between-group differences in change scores were compared using the Mann-Whitney U test
No significant between-group differences were found for depression, sleep quality, or quality of life
The study was described as an 'exploratory' randomized controlled trial with a small sample of 16 participants
Authors noted findings 'should be interpreted cautiously' given the small sample size

Results

No VR-related adverse symptoms were reported by participants in the VR-based mindfulness group.

The absence of adverse events was noted as a finding supporting further evaluation of VR-delivered mindfulness
The VR intervention included practices such as mindful breathing, body scanning, and yoga delivered over six weeks
VR is described as offering 'an engaging alternative for mindfulness delivery, with potential to enhance user experience'

Methods

The study employed a six-week intervention protocol covering mindful breathing, body scanning, and yoga for both intervention arms.

16 dementia family caregivers were randomly assigned to either VR-based mindfulness or audio-guided mindfulness
Outcomes were assessed at baseline and post-intervention only (no follow-up time point)
Within-group changes were assessed using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test
The audio-guided mindfulness group served as an active control

What This Means

This research suggests that both virtual reality (VR)-based and traditional audio-guided mindfulness programs can help family caregivers of people with dementia feel less depressed, sleep better, and experience a better quality of life. The study ran for six weeks and involved 16 caregivers split into two groups — one using VR headsets to practice mindfulness, and the other listening to audio guides. Both groups showed meaningful improvements in all three areas measured. However, the study did not find a statistically significant difference between the two approaches, meaning the VR program did not clearly outperform the audio program, or vice versa. Importantly, no one in the VR group reported any negative side effects or discomfort from using the technology, which suggests VR is a safe option worth investigating further. The researchers frame VR as a potentially more engaging way to deliver mindfulness practice. Because only 16 people participated, these findings cannot be considered definitive. The authors themselves caution that the small sample size limits what conclusions can be drawn, and they call for larger studies to properly test whether VR offers meaningful added benefits over traditional mindfulness delivery methods. This research suggests that mindfulness-based interventions of either type hold promise for supporting the mental health and well-being of dementia caregivers, a group known to face significant psychological and physical strain.

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Citation

Bai D, Wang Y, Lin Y, Liu M. (2026). Effect of Virtual Reality-Based Mindfulness Program vs Audio-Guided Mindfulness on Depression, Sleep, and Quality of Life in Dementia Family Caregivers: An Exploratory Randomized Controlled Trial.. International journal of medical sciences. https://doi.org/10.7150/ijms.126415

Key Findings

What This Means

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