Augmented Reality-Based Aromatherapy Education for Older Adults With Early-Stage Dementia in Taiwan

March 5, 2026 updated by: National Taiwan Normal University

The Impact of Augmented Reality-Based Aromatherapy Education on Symptoms in Older Adults With Early-Stage Dementia in Taiwan

This study evaluates an augmented reality (AR)-based aromatherapy education program designed for older adults with early-stage dementia in Taiwan. Participants are randomly assigned to either the intervention group, which receives AR-supported aromatherapy education sessions, or a comparison group receiving standard activities. The primary objective is to assess changes in neuropsychiatric symptoms and psychological well-being. Secondary outcomes include cognitive function and quality of life. The study aims to explore the feasibility and potential clinical benefits of integrating digital technology with non-pharmacological dementia care approaches.

Study Overview

Status

Active, not recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Detailed Description

The study includes multiple phases designed to examine both immediate and longer-term effects of the intervention.

Phase 1 - Structured AR-Based Aromatherapy Education (Weeks 1-4):

Participants receive the AR-based aromatherapy education program consisting of 12 structured sessions delivered over four weeks. Sessions integrate AR-guided instruction with hands-on aromatherapy learning activities.

The Augmented Reality (AR)-Based Aromatherapy Education Module was systematically developed according to the 12 symptom domains of the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q). Each unit was designed to align a specific neuropsychiatric symptom with targeted plant-based aromatic stimulation, structured educational activities, and symptom-oriented behavioral goals. The intervention consisted of 12 structured units delivered over four to six consecutive weeks (two to three sessions per week). Each session integrated AR-based digital guidance with hands-on aromatherapy activities to provide multisensory stimulation, cognitive engagement, and structured emotional regulation support.

Phase 2 - Aromatherapy Withdrawal Observation (Weeks 5-8):

Following completion of the structured sessions, aromatherapy products are discontinued to observe potential maintenance or withdrawal effects of the intervention. Participants continue routine daily activities without additional aromatherapy sessions.

Phase 3 - Personalized Aromatherapy Support (Weeks 9-12):

Based on symptom profiles and individual preferences, participants may receive guidance on the use of personalized aromatherapy products intended to support symptom management in daily life.

Phase 4 - Follow-Up Observation (Weeks 13-16):

Participants are followed to evaluate the sustainability of intervention effects. Outcome assessments are conducted to examine longer-term changes in neuropsychiatric symptoms and related health outcomes.

The comparison group receives routine care and standard daily activities at the care setting without participation in the AR-based aromatherapy education program.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

300

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

  • Taiwan
    • Taipei City
      • Taipei, Taipei City, Taiwan, 10610
        • National Taiwan Normal University

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age ≥ 65 years
  • AD-8 score ≥ 2, indicating suspected cognitive impairment
  • Ability to communicate and complete study questionnaires
  • No significant visual, hearing, or olfactory impairments
  • Willingness to participate in AR-based intervention sessions

Exclusion Criteria:

  • Diagnosed psychiatric disorder
  • Complex chronic physical diseases
  • Moderate to severe dementia
  • Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q) symptom score > 3

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: AR-Based Aromatherapy Education Group
Participants receive a structured augmented reality (AR)-based aromatherapy education program designed to reduce neuropsychiatric symptoms and enhance psychological well-being in older adults with early-stage dementia. The intervention includes guided AR modules integrating sensory stimulation, aromatherapy education, and interactive cognitive engagement over the study period.
Behavioral: Augmented Reality-Based Aromatherapy Education Program
The augmented reality-based aromatherapy education module was developed using the Neuropsychiatric Symptom Checklist-Q (NPI-Q) framework to match specific neuropsychiatric symptoms with corresponding aromatherapy interventions. This intervention program was designed and refined by a multidisciplinary team of experts. The course comprises 12 units, completed over four consecutive weeks through 2-3 units per week. To ensure a systematic approach, each session integrates three units, allowing for comprehensive coverage of symptom clusters within a structured timeframe. Each symptom corresponds to a specific aromatherapy activity and its associated learning objectives.
No Intervention: Standard Care Control Group
Participants receive routine care without AR-based aromatherapy intervention during the study period.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Change in Neuropsychiatric Symptoms Measured by the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q)
Time Frame: Baseline, Week 4 (Post-Intervention), and Week 16 (Follow-up)
Neuropsychiatric symptoms are assessed using the Neuropsychiatric Inventory Questionnaire (NPI-Q), an informant-based instrument evaluating behavioral and psychological symptoms over the past month. Each symptom is rated for severity on a 3-point scale (1 = mild, 2 = moderate, 3 = severe). Total scores range from 0 to 36, with higher scores indicating more severe neuropsychiatric symptoms (worse outcome). Changes in total scores from baseline will be analyzed.
Baseline, Week 4 (Post-Intervention), and Week 16 (Follow-up)

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Pain (Abbey Pain Scale)
Time Frame: Baseline, Week 4 (Post-Intervention), and Week 16 (Follow-up)
Pain is assessed using the Abbey Pain Scale, an observational tool designed to evaluate pain in individuals who may have difficulty verbally communicating discomfort. The scale consists of six behavioral indicators (vocalization, facial expression, change in body language, behavioral change, physiological change, and physical changes), each rated on a 4-point scale (0 = absent to 3 = severe). The total score ranges from 0 to 18, with higher scores indicating greater pain severity (worse outcome). Changes in total scores from baseline will be analyzed.
Baseline, Week 4 (Post-Intervention), and Week 16 (Follow-up)
Insomnia (Athens Insomnia Scale)
Time Frame: Baseline, Week 4 (Post-Intervention), and Week 16 (Follow-up)
Insomnia symptoms are assessed using the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS), a self-report instrument designed to evaluate sleep difficulties based on the diagnostic criteria of insomnia. The scale consists of eight items assessing sleep induction, awakenings during the night, early morning awakening, total sleep duration, sleep quality, well-being during the day, functioning capacity, and sleepiness during the day. Each item is rated on a 4-point scale (0-3). The total score ranges from 0 to 24, with higher scores indicating more severe insomnia symptoms (worse outcome). Changes in total scores from baseline will be analyzed.
Baseline, Week 4 (Post-Intervention), and Week 16 (Follow-up)
Well-Being (WHO-5)
Time Frame: Baseline, Week 4 (Post-Intervention), and Week 16 (Follow-up)
Psychological well-being is assessed using the World Health Organization-Five Well-Being Index (WHO-5), a self-report questionnaire measuring positive mood, vitality, and general interest in daily activities over the previous two weeks. The scale includes five items, each rated on a 6-point scale (0-5). The total score ranges from 0 to 25, with higher scores indicating better psychological well-being (better outcome). Changes in total scores from baseline will be analyzed.
Baseline, Week 4 (Post-Intervention), and Week 16 (Follow-up)
Life Satisfaction (SWLS)
Time Frame: Baseline, Week 4 (Post-Intervention), and Week 16 (Follow-up)
Life satisfaction is assessed using the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS), a self-report instrument measuring global cognitive judgments of one's life satisfaction. The scale consists of five items, each rated on a 7-point Likert scale (1-7) ranging from strongly disagree to strongly agree. The total score ranges from 5 to 35, with higher scores indicating greater life satisfaction (better outcome). Changes in total scores from baseline will be analyzed.
Baseline, Week 4 (Post-Intervention), and Week 16 (Follow-up)

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

National Taiwan Normal University

Investigators

  • Study Chair: Jong-Long Guo, PhD, National Taiwan Normal University

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

May 23, 2025

Primary Completion (Actual)

October 30, 2025

Study Completion (Estimated)

March 1, 2026

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

February 18, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

February 18, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

February 24, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

March 9, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

March 5, 2026

Last Verified

February 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • NTNU-AR-Aroma-2025
  • NSTC 112-2410-H-003-061-MY2 (Other Grant/Funding Number: National Science and Technology Council, Taiwan)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

YES

IPD Plan Description

De-identified individual participant data (IPD) that underlie the results reported in this trial will be made available upon reasonable request after publication. Access requires a formal request to the corresponding author and approval. Data will be shared in accordance with institutional review board approval and applicable data protection regulations. Researchers requesting access must provide a methodologically sound proposal and sign a data use agreement. Only de-identified data will be shared; no direct identifiers will be released.

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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