@article{rigasOptimizingFutureTelehealth2026,

title = {Optimizing future Telehealth mental health programs: a secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study to identify key predictors of intervention response in the Telehealth intervention program for older adults (TIP-OA)},

author = {C. Rigas and P. Lavin and C. -L. Su and M. Hassan and K. Cinalioglu and B. Vacaflor and E. Dikaios and A. Goodman and M. Ibrahim and J. Gruber and J. Se and N. Sasi and R. Nazar and K. Bodenstein and S. Elbaz and H. Fajzel and S. Berkani and C. Hanganu and H. Noble and K. Looper and S. Bouchard and D. Seitz and S. Kumar and O. Beauchet and C. Launay and E. McDonald and B. Khoury and A. Ryder and B. Battistini and P. Fallavollita and I. Vahia and H. Sekhon and S. Bukhari and S. Rej},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105038539121?origin=resultslist},

doi = {10.1186/s12888-025-07688-1},

issn = {1471244X (ISSN)},

year  = {2026},

date = {2026-01-01},

journal = {BMC Psychiatry},

volume = {26},

number = {1},

publisher = {BioMed Central Ltd},

abstract = {Background: The Telehealth Intervention Program for Older Adults (TIP-OA) was a volunteer-based phone support program for to older adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. While volunteer-based phone programs can be effective in providing mental health support, there is limited data on the predictors of response to such interventions. This study aimed to examine clinical and demographic predictors of response to the TIP-OA intervention among older adults. Methods: This secondary analysis of a prospective cohort study included 82 TIP-OA users who expressed interest in the program’s research component, met inclusion criteria, and provided informed consent. Participants completed both baseline and 8-week assessments or had 4-week data carried forward using the last observation carried forward (LOCF) method. The intervention consisted of weekly supportive phone calls over eight weeks. Baseline mental health risk level was assessed by clinicians during intake and categorized as low, medium, or high based on symptom severity within specific symptom categories. Associations between baseline risk level and changes in stress (primary outcome), depression, and anxiety (secondary outcomes) were examined. The primary outcome was measured by the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS; scores ranging from 0 (never) to 4 (very often)). Secondary outcomes were measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9; scores ranging from 0 (not at all) to 3 (nearly every day)), and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scale (GAD-7; scores can range from 0 (not at all sure) to 3 (nearly every day)). Results: At 8 -week follow-up assessment, participants with higher baseline risk levels showed greater reductions in stress (mean difference in Perceived Stress Scale reduction by 2.13, (F(1,77) = 2.82},

keywords = {80 and over, adult, aged, Anxiety, article, clinical outcome, clinician, cohort analysis, coronavirus disease 2019, COVID-19, demographics, Depression, female, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, Geriatric mental health, health hazard, health program, human, human experiment, Humans, informed consent, male, Mental health, Mental Health Teletherapy, mental stress, older adults, Patient Health Questionnaire 9, Perceived Stress Scale, physiological stress, prediction, Predictors of treatment response, Prospective Studies, prospective study, Psychological, psychology, SARS-CoV-2, secondary analysis, Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, Social isolation, social worker, Stress, telehealth, Telemedicine, teletherapy, Therapy, treatment response, very elderly, Volunteer-based intervention},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{le_du_new_2023,

title = {A New Option for Pain Prevention Using a Therapeutic Virtual Reality Solution for Bone Marrow Biopsy (REVEH Trial): Open-Label, Randomized, Multicenter, Phase 3 Study},

author = {K. Le Du and A. -L. Septans and F. Maloisel and H. Vanquaethem and A. Schmitt and M. Le Goff and A. Clavert and M. Zinger and H. Bourgeois and O. Dupuis and F. Denis and S. Bouchard},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85148250546&doi=10.2196%2f38619&partnerID=40&md5=e27bfbd3d4c42f8850daf70bdf60b384},

doi = {10.2196/38619},

issn = {14388871 (ISSN)},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-01-01},

journal = {Journal of Medical Internet Research},

volume = {25},

publisher = {JMIR Publications Inc.},

abstract = {Background: Evidence regarding the analgesic effect of distraction through immersion in virtual reality (VR) for care-induced pain has been documented in several phase 2 trials, but comparison with standard treatments in large, randomized studies is needed. Objective: In this open-label, multicenter, randomized, phase 3 trial, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of a novel VR therapy solution for distraction in the context of bone marrow biopsy. Methods: Bliss is a VR software with 4 imaginary interactive environments in 3 dimensions with binaural sound (head-mounted display). Efficacy regarding pain intensity was evaluated using a visual analog scale (VAS; score from 0 to 10) immediately after the biopsy. Secondary end points were anxiety and tolerance. Modified intention-to-treat analysis was performed. Results: Overall, 126 patients with previously documented untreated or suspected malignant hemopathy between September 6, 2018, and May 18, 2020, were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive pain prevention with a mixture of nitrous oxide/oxygen (MEOPA; n=63) or VR (n=63) before and during the bone marrow biopsy. We excluded 8 patients from the final analysis (3 in the MEOPA group and 5 in the VR group). All patients received local anesthesia (lidocaine) before biopsy. Follow-up was limited to 1 month after the biopsy. Participants' median age was 65.5 (range 18-87) years, and 54.2% (64/118) of patients were male. The average pain intensity was 3.5 (SD 2.6, 95% CI -1.6 to 8.6) for the MEOPA group and 3.0 (SD 2.4, 95% CI -1.7 to 7.7) for the VR group, without any significant differences in age, sex, center, and hemopathy (P=.26). Concerning anxiety, 67.5% (79/117; fear of pain questionnaire) of the patients were afraid before the biopsy, and anxiety scores were moderate to very high in 26.3% (30/114; revised Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory questionnaire) of the patients before the biopsy and 9.0% (10/114) after the biopsy for all patients, without a significant difference between the 2 groups (P=.83). Immersion in VR was well tolerated by the majority (54/57, 95%) of patients in the VR group. Conclusions: The intensity of pain did not significantly differ between both arms. VR was well tolerated, and the satisfaction of patients, nurses, and physicians was very high. VR could be an alternative treatment in case of contraindication or intolerance to MEOPA. © 2023 Journal of Medical Internet Research. All rights reserved.},

note = {Publisher: JMIR Publications Inc.},

keywords = {80 and over, Adolescent, adult, aged, alprazolam, Anxiety, article, Biopsy, blood pressure measurement, Bone Marrow, bone marrow biopsy, clinical trial, controlled study, demographics, digital health, digital therapeutics, Distraction, Effectiveness, efficacy, eHealth, female, follow up, head-mounted display, hematologic disease, human, human tissue, Humans, hypertension, imagery, imaginary, imagination, Immersive environment, Intention to Treat Analysis, interactive environment, leukemia, lidocaine, local anesthesia, lymphoma, major clinical study, male, medical procedure, Meopa, Middle Aged, monoclonal immunoglobulinemia, multicenter study, myelodysplastic syndrome, myeloma, myeloproliferative disorder, myeloproliferative neoplasm, nitrous oxide plus oxygen, open study, Pain, pain intensity, pain measurement, paracetamol, phase 3 clinical trial, prospective study, questionnaire, randomized controlled trial, RCT, relaxation training, safety, satisfaction, solid malignant neoplasm, State Trait Anxiety Inventory, very elderly, virtual reality, visual analog scale, VR, Young Adult},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{leduNewOptionPain2023,

title = {A New Option for Pain Prevention Using a Therapeutic Virtual Reality Solution for Bone Marrow Biopsy (REVEH Trial): Open-Label, Randomized, Multicenter, Phase 3 Study},

author = {K. Le Du and A. -L. Septans and F. Maloisel and H. Vanquaethem and A. Schmitt and M. Le Goff and A. Clavert and M. Zinger and H. Bourgeois and O. Dupuis and F. Denis and S. Bouchard},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85148250546&doi=10.2196%2f38619&partnerID=40&md5=e27bfbd3d4c42f8850daf70bdf60b384},

doi = {10.2196/38619},

issn = {14388871 (ISSN)},

year  = {2023},

date = {2023-01-01},

journal = {Journal of Medical Internet Research},

volume = {25},

publisher = {JMIR Publications Inc.},

abstract = {Background: Evidence regarding the analgesic effect of distraction through immersion in virtual reality (VR) for care-induced pain has been documented in several phase 2 trials, but comparison with standard treatments in large, randomized studies is needed. Objective: In this open-label, multicenter, randomized, phase 3 trial, we evaluated the safety and efficacy of a novel VR therapy solution for distraction in the context of bone marrow biopsy. Methods: Bliss is a VR software with 4 imaginary interactive environments in 3 dimensions with binaural sound (head-mounted display). Efficacy regarding pain intensity was evaluated using a visual analog scale (VAS; score from 0 to 10) immediately after the biopsy. Secondary end points were anxiety and tolerance. Modified intention-to-treat analysis was performed. Results: Overall, 126 patients with previously documented untreated or suspected malignant hemopathy between September 6, 2018, and May 18, 2020, were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive pain prevention with a mixture of nitrous oxide/oxygen (MEOPA; n=63) or VR (n=63) before and during the bone marrow biopsy. We excluded 8 patients from the final analysis (3 in the MEOPA group and 5 in the VR group). All patients received local anesthesia (lidocaine) before biopsy. Follow-up was limited to 1 month after the biopsy. Participants' median age was 65.5 (range 18-87) years, and 54.2% (64/118) of patients were male. The average pain intensity was 3.5 (SD 2.6, 95% CI -1.6 to 8.6) for the MEOPA group and 3.0 (SD 2.4, 95% CI -1.7 to 7.7) for the VR group, without any significant differences in age, sex, center, and hemopathy (P=.26). Concerning anxiety, 67.5% (79/117; fear of pain questionnaire) of the patients were afraid before the biopsy, and anxiety scores were moderate to very high in 26.3% (30/114; revised Spielberger State-Trait Anxiety Inventory questionnaire) of the patients before the biopsy and 9.0% (10/114) after the biopsy for all patients, without a significant difference between the 2 groups (P=.83). Immersion in VR was well tolerated by the majority (54/57, 95%) of patients in the VR group. Conclusions: The intensity of pain did not significantly differ between both arms. VR was well tolerated, and the satisfaction of patients, nurses, and physicians was very high. VR could be an alternative treatment in case of contraindication or intolerance to MEOPA. © 2023 Journal of Medical Internet Research. All rights reserved.},

keywords = {80 and over, Adolescent, adult, aged, alprazolam, Anxiety, article, Biopsy, blood pressure measurement, Bone Marrow, bone marrow biopsy, clinical trial, controlled study, demographics, digital health, digital therapeutics, Distraction, Effectiveness, efficacy, eHealth, female, follow up, head-mounted display, hematologic disease, human, human tissue, Humans, hypertension, imagery, imaginary, imagination, Immersive environment, Intention to Treat Analysis, interactive environment, leukemia, lidocaine, local anesthesia, lymphoma, major clinical study, male, medical procedure, Meopa, Middle Aged, monoclonal immunoglobulinemia, multicenter study, myelodysplastic syndrome, myeloma, myeloproliferative disorder, myeloproliferative neoplasm, nitrous oxide plus oxygen, open study, Pain, pain intensity, pain measurement, paracetamol, phase 3 clinical trial, prospective study, questionnaire, randomized controlled trial, RCT, relaxation training, safety, satisfaction, solid malignant neoplasm, State Trait Anxiety Inventory, very elderly, virtual reality, visual analog scale, VR, Young Adult},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{sekhon_isolating_2022,

title = {Isolating together during COVID-19: Results from the Telehealth Intervention Program for older adults},

author = {H. Sekhon and P. Lavin and B. Vacaflor and C. Rigas and K. Cinalioglu and C. -L. Su and K. Bodenstein and E. Dikaios and A. Goodman and F. C. Raymond and M. Ibrahim and M. Bein and J. Gruber and J. Se and N. Sasi and C. Walsh and R. Nazar and C. Hanganu and S. Berkani and I. Royal and A. Schiavetto and K. Looper and C. Launay and E. G. McDonald and D. Seitz and S. Kumar and O. Beauchet and B. Khoury and S. Bouchard and B. Battistini and P. Fallavollita and M. Miresco and M. -A. Bruneau and I. Vahia and S. Bukhari and S. Rej},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85140408885&doi=10.3389%2ffmed.2022.948506&partnerID=40&md5=914f535ebf7ead4bbacb04ee66f75e17},

doi = {10.3389/fmed.2022.948506},

issn = {2296858X},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-01-01},

journal = {Frontiers in Medicine},

volume = {9},

publisher = {Frontiers Media S.A.},

abstract = {Background: A pressing challenge during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond is to provide accessible and scalable mental health support to isolated older adults in the community. The Telehealth Intervention Program for Older Adults (TIP-OA) is a large-scale, volunteer-based, friendly telephone support program designed to address this unmet need. Methods: A prospective cohort study of 112 TIP-OA participants aged ≥60 years old was conducted in Quebec, Canada (October 2020–June 2021). The intervention consisted of weekly friendly phone calls from trained volunteers. The primary outcome measures included changes in scores of stress, depression, anxiety, and fear surrounding COVID-19, assessed at baseline, 4 and 8-weeks. Additional subgroup analyses were performed with participants with higher baseline scores. Results: The subgroup of participants with higher baseline depression scores (PHQ9 ≥10) had significant improvements in depression scores over the 8-week period measured [mean change score = −2.27 (±4.76), 95%CI (−3.719, −0.827)},

note = {Publisher: Frontiers Media S.A.},

keywords = {aged, Anxiety, article, cohort analysis, controlled study, coronavirus disease 2019, demographics, Depression, Fear, female, human, longitudinal study, major clinical study, male, Patient Health Questionnaire 9, physiological stress, prospective study, Quebec, telehealth},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{khadra_effects_2020,

title = {Effects of a projector-based hybrid virtual reality on pain in young children with burn injuries during hydrotherapy sessions: A within-subject randomized crossover trial},

author = {C. Khadra and A. Ballard and D. Paquin and C. Cotes-Turpin and H. G. Hoffman and I. Perreault and J. -S. Fortin and S. Bouchard and J. Théroux and S. Le May},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85084390816&doi=10.1016%2fj.burns.2020.04.006&partnerID=40&md5=07c94e6c0d5a26e5c2ead8068f0f7f0c},

doi = {10.1016/j.burns.2020.04.006},

issn = {03054179 (ISSN)},

year  = {2020},

date = {2020-01-01},

journal = {Burns},

volume = {46},

number = {7},

pages = {1571–1584},

publisher = {Elsevier Ltd},

abstract = {Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of a water-friendly Projector-Based Hybrid Virtual Reality (VR) dome environment combined with standard pharmacological treatment on pain in young children undergoing burn wound care in hydrotherapy. Methods: This study was a prospective, within-subject crossover trial of 38 children aged 6 months to 7 years old (mean age = 1.8 years old). Each hydrotherapy procedure was divided into two equivalent wound care segments (No hybrid VR during one segment vs. Hybrid VR during the other segment, treatment order was randomized). Pain was measured using the 0–10 FLACC (Face, Legs, Activity, Cry Consolability scale) and the 0–10 NRS-obs (Numerical Rating Scale-obs). Results: Projector-Based Hybrid VR significantly reduced procedural pain levels measured by the FLACC (p = 0.026) and significantly increased patients' comfort levels (p = 0.002). Patients' pain levels rated by the nurses using the NRS-obs were non-significant between both groups (p = 0.135). No side effects were reported. Conclusion: Projector-Based Hybrid VR helped in reducing the pain related to hydrotherapy procedures in young children with burn wound injuries. This is the first study using virtual reality distraction with young children, and our findings are especially important because a large percentage of pediatric burn patients are very young. Additional research and development are recommended. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02986464, registered on June 12, 2016. © 2020 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI},

note = {Publisher: Elsevier Ltd},

keywords = {article, burn, Burns, Child, clinical article, clonidine, complication, controlled study, Cross-Over Studies, crossover procedure, Distraction, Face Legs Activity Cry Consolability scale, female, human, Humans, hydromorphone, hydrotherapy, infant, ketamine, male, midazolam, morphine, numeric rating scale, Pain, pain measurement, paracetamol, Preschool, preschool child, procedural pain, Prospective Studies, prospective study, randomized controlled trial, rating scale, virtual reality},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{khadraEffectsProjectorbasedHybrid2020,

title = {Effects of a projector-based hybrid virtual reality on pain in young children with burn injuries during hydrotherapy sessions: A within-subject randomized crossover trial},

author = {C. Khadra and A. Ballard and D. Paquin and C. Cotes-Turpin and H. G. Hoffman and I. Perreault and J. -S. Fortin and S. Bouchard and J. Théroux and S. Le May},

url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85084390816&doi=10.1016%2fj.burns.2020.04.006&partnerID=40&md5=07c94e6c0d5a26e5c2ead8068f0f7f0c},

doi = {10.1016/j.burns.2020.04.006},

issn = {03054179 (ISSN)},

year  = {2020},

date = {2020-01-01},

journal = {Burns},

volume = {46},

number = {7},

pages = {1571–1584},

publisher = {Elsevier Ltd},

abstract = {Aim: The aim of this study was to examine the effect of a water-friendly Projector-Based Hybrid Virtual Reality (VR) dome environment combined with standard pharmacological treatment on pain in young children undergoing burn wound care in hydrotherapy. Methods: This study was a prospective, within-subject crossover trial of 38 children aged 6 months to 7 years old (mean age = 1.8 years old). Each hydrotherapy procedure was divided into two equivalent wound care segments (No hybrid VR during one segment vs. Hybrid VR during the other segment, treatment order was randomized). Pain was measured using the 0–10 FLACC (Face, Legs, Activity, Cry Consolability scale) and the 0–10 NRS-obs (Numerical Rating Scale-obs). Results: Projector-Based Hybrid VR significantly reduced procedural pain levels measured by the FLACC (p = 0.026) and significantly increased patients' comfort levels (p = 0.002). Patients' pain levels rated by the nurses using the NRS-obs were non-significant between both groups (p = 0.135). No side effects were reported. Conclusion: Projector-Based Hybrid VR helped in reducing the pain related to hydrotherapy procedures in young children with burn wound injuries. This is the first study using virtual reality distraction with young children, and our findings are especially important because a large percentage of pediatric burn patients are very young. Additional research and development are recommended. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT02986464, registered on June 12, 2016. © 2020 Elsevier Ltd and ISBI},

keywords = {article, burn, Burns, Child, clinical article, clonidine, complication, controlled study, Cross-Over Studies, crossover procedure, Distraction, Face Legs Activity Cry Consolability scale, female, human, Humans, hydromorphone, hydrotherapy, infant, ketamine, male, midazolam, morphine, numeric rating scale, Pain, pain measurement, paracetamol, Preschool, preschool child, procedural pain, Prospective Studies, prospective study, randomized controlled trial, rating scale, virtual reality},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}