Clinical Trial: Effects of background visual fidelity in an olfactory virtual reality game on cognitive task performance and olfactory function in older adults: a non-randomized parallel-group study (Japan)

Tokyo, Aug. 29 -- UMIN Clinical Trials Registry (UMIN-CTR) received information related to the study (UMIN000062730) titled 'Study of visual background detail in an olfactory VR game and cognitive function in older adults' on Aug. 28.

Study Type: Interventional

Study Design: Basic Design - Parallel Randomization - Non-randomized Blinding - Open -no one is blinded Control - Active

Primary Sponsor: Institute - Bunkyo Gakuin University

Condition: Condition - Age-related cognitive decline Classification by malignancy - Others Genomic information - NO

Objective: Narrative objectives1 - The purpose of this study is to examine, in healthy community-dwelling older adults, whether the visual fidelity of the background environment in an olfactory virtual reality (VR) game affects changes in cognitive task performance and olfactory function following a short-term intervention, using a non-randomized parallel-group comparison. A high-visual-fidelity forest environment (Rich condition) is compared with a plain gray environment with reduced background visual information (Poor condition) to evaluate whether high visual fidelity provides an additional short-term benefit beyond the core olfactory-spatial cognitive training. Basic objectives2 - Efficacy

Intervention: Interventions/Control_1 - Rich condition (high visual fidelity). Participants use a Meta Quest 3 head-mounted display and an olfactory display while seated in a stabilized swivel chair. They complete an olfactory VR game for approximately 20 minutes per session, with a total of two sessions separated by six days. Participants first memorize a target odor presented for 5 seconds, navigate through the VR environment using changes in odor intensity to locate a hidden odor source, and select the odor matching the target from three alternatives. The background consists of a high-fidelity 3D forest environment containing vegetation, detailed textures, and visual landmarks. Interactive objects, spatial dimensions, locomotion speed, odor stimuli, and task procedures are identical to those in the Poor condition; only the visual fidelity of the background differs. Interventions/Control_2 - Poor condition (low visual fidelity). Participants use a Meta Quest 3 head-mounted display and an olfactory display while seated in a stabilized swivel chair. They complete an olfactory VR game for approximately 20 minutes per session, with a total of two sessions separated by six days. Participants first memorize a target odor presented for 5 seconds, navigate through the VR environment using changes in odor intensity to locate a hidden odor source, and select the odor matching the target from three alternatives. The background consists of a plain gray environment without textures, vegetation, or visual landmarks. Interactive objects, spatial dimensions, locomotion speed, odor stimuli, and task procedures are identical to those in the Rich condition; only the visual fidelity of the background differs.

Eligibility: Age-lower limit - 60 years-old = Gender - Male and Female Key inclusion criteria - 1. Community-dwelling older adults aged 60 to 90 years 2. Individuals recruited through the Iruma Eastern Silver Human Resources Center 3. Individuals able to understand the study information and experimental procedures and provide written informed consent voluntarily 4. Individuals able to attend two experimental sessions conducted six days apart 5. Individuals able to undertake the seated VR game and cognitive assessments 6. Individuals with no apparent olfactory dysfunction affecting daily life and no recent respiratory infection, based on preliminary health screening and self-report at enrollment Key exclusion criteria - 1. Self-reported anosmia, hyposmia, or other apparent olfactory dysfunction affecting daily life 2. A recent respiratory infection at enrollment that could affect olfactory function 3. Inability to understand the study information or provide written informed consent 4. Inability to safely undertake the seated VR task or cognitive assessments 5. Inability to attend both experimental sessions conducted six days apart Target Size - 52

Recruitment Status: Recruitment status - Completed Date of protocol fixation - 2025 Year 06 Month 26 Day Date of IRB - 2025 Year 07 Month 11 Day Anticipated trial start date - 2025 Year 10 Month 07 Day Last follow-up date - 2025 Year 12 Month 23 Day

To know more, visit https://center6.umin.ac.jp/cgi-open-bin/ctr_e/ctr_view.cgi?recptno=R000071803

Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.