A Pilot Mixed-Methods Study of a Virtual Reality-Based Mindfulness Intervention for Live-In Migrant Dementia Caregivers in Israel.
Liora Cohen, Assaf Suberry, Peter Sun, Natalie Ulitsa, Senjooti Roy, Liat Ayalon
Sage open aging 2025 DOI: 10.1177/30495334251406040 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Mixed-methods pilot study Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 6 |
| Population | Live-in migrant caregivers of older adults with dementia in Israel |
| Intervention | Virtual reality (VR)-based mindfulness intervention |
| Duration | Four 10-min VR mindfulness sessions |
| Topics | Meditation |
| Keywords | Dementia Migrant live-in caregivers Virtual reality |
| Key points | Caregiver burden decreased after four brief VR mindfulness sessions, and state mindfulness ratings indicated high present-moment awareness. Caregivers described the sessions as providing brief relief, emotional recalibration, and a sense of connection to identity and belonging, which the authors suggest indicates preliminary benefits for stress reduction and coping. |
Abstract
Live-in migrant caregivers play a critical role in supporting older adults with dementia in Israel but often experience significant emotional strain. Interventions to support their mental health remain scarce. To pilot-test a brief virtual reality (VR)-based mindfulness intervention for live-in migrant dementia caregivers and to explore its impact on caregiver burden, state mindfulness, and subjective experience. In a mixed-methods pilot conducted at a dementia day center, six live-in migrant caregivers participated in four 10-min VR mindfulness sessions. Quantitative measures included pre-post caregiver burden and post-session state mindfulness. Semi-structured interviews explored perceived relevance and impact. Caregiver burden decreased post-intervention and State mindfulness ratings indicated high present-moment awareness. Qualitative findings described VR as a source of brief relief, emotional recalibration, and as a bridge to identity and belonging, suggesting preliminary benefits for stress reduction and coping among live-in migrant dementia caregivers.