Study’s full title: Exploring the feasibility and clinical utility of a fully immersive virtual reality shopping tool for training Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs): A pilot study

University affiliation: The University of Sydney, Faculty of Medicine and Health, School of Health Sciences, Discipline of Occupational Therapy

Ethics approval/reference number: 2025/HE001714

Principal researcher: Weihong Zhang

Authors: Weihong Zhang, Naaz Shaikh, Sophie Brassel, Lynette Mackenzie, and Lucie Downer

Purpose of study: This study aims to evaluate the acceptability, usability, and feasibility of a custom-made, fully immersive Virtual Reality (VR) shopping tool (ShopWell VR) for the assessment and training of Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADLs) across different population groups.

The study will also:

• Evaluate other relevant implementation factors, specifically adoption and appropriateness, from the perspectives of both participants and clinicians.
• To explore the preliminary therapeutic potential of the tool and examine early outcome trends across different user groups.

Participation criteria: The study will involve two participant groups:

1. Community-living adults from four subgroups:
   • Older adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
   • Adults with functional vision impairment
   • Adults with acquired brain injury (ABI)
   • Healthy older adult controls
     
2. Clinicians who work with one or more of the above populations, including but not limited to occupational therapists, psychologists, and low vision specialists.

Contact details: Dr Weihong Zhang (Responsible Researcher) Discipline of Occupational Therapy/School of Health Sciences/Faculty of Medicine & Health Phone: 02 9351 9438 Email: weihong.zhang@sydney.edu.au