VR-SIM Carers
Dementia Caregivers Skill Training through Virtual Reality Simulation (VR-SIM Carers)
Publication/Conference Abstracts
In the VR-SIM Carers Team, continued knowledge and learning is fundamental to the program. Members of the team participate in opportunities to advance and showcase their knowledge, as emphasized by the publication and conference abstracts displayed below.
Managing Apathy in Dementia: Immersive Simulation-Based Learning for Family Caregiver through Virtual Reality (VR)
Submitted to: International Psychogeriatrics
Submitted by Chiu, M., Pistritto S., Clarke, K., Kokorelias, K., Sterzaj J., Krishnalingam D., Sadavoy, J., Shnall, A., Burhan, A.M. (Oct 2025 - Under Review)
Supporting Unpaid Caregivers of Persons Living with Dementia: Protocol for Pilot Study to Explore Caregiver Outcomes and Impact of a Co-Designed Simulation-Based Psychoeducation Program in Virtual Reality
Submitted to: JMIR Research Protocol
Chiu, M., Pistritto S., Clarke, K. et al. (Oct 2025 - Under Review)
​Mapping the evidence on dementia care pathways – A scoping review
Submitted to: BMC Geriatrics 24(1)
Saragosa, M., MacEachern, E., Chiu, M., Weylie, S., Schneider, K., Maloney, E.R., Holland, J., Kuluski, K., Orchanian-Cheff, A., Nelson, M. (2024)
Use of Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality Technologies to Support Resilience and Skill-Building in Caregivers of Persons with Dementia: A Scoping Review.
Submitted to: Cureus 16(7)
Kokorelias K.M., Chiu, M., Paul, S., et al. (July 8, 2024)
Key Considerations for the Design, Development and Deployment of AgeTech Solutions Supporting Aging-in-the-Right-Place”
Submitted to: Healthcare Papers 22(2):31-37.
Chiu, M. & Saragosa, M. (May 2024)
Using Simulation-Based Learning (Gamified Educational Network) to Provide Micro-credentialing for Dementia Care Workers. International Psychogeriatrics
Submitted to: International Psychogeriatrics. 35(S1):41-42
Sun W, Chiu M, Burhan AM (2023)
Exploring the potential of Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence as tools to design, develop, and deliver psychotherapeutic intervention for family caregivers of persons living with dementia
Presented at: Alzheimer’s Association International Conference 2025, AAIC for All - In The Neighborhood, Metro Toronto Convention Centre, Canada
Chiu, M., (July 31, 2025)
A Moderated Discussion on the Importance of Participation in Dementia Research
Presented at: “Brain Health & Dementia” organized by Toronto Dementia Research Alliance, CAMH, Toronto, Canada
Chiu, M., Ian Goldman & Brittany Prokop (May 2, 2024)
What is the Role of Virtual Reality in Supporting Dementia Caregivers?
Presented at: Toronto Dementia Research Alliance (TDRA) & Alzheimer Toronto Society Webinar series.
Chiu, M. (Mar 20, 2024)
How can virtual reality be used as a training tool for caregivers?
Presented at: Baycrest @Home Caregiver Webinar Series
Chiu, M. (Nov 15, 2023)
“Technology Enabled Dementia” moderated by Dr. Rajeevan Rasasingham
Presented at: City-wide Psychiatry Grand Rounds, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Burhan, A., Chiu, M.W & Sun, W. (Nov 25, 2022)
Panel Discussion “Aging in Digital Age” moderated by Dr. Jennifer Campo
Presented at: The Great Age: Sustainability in Aging Societies” conference, University of Toronto Scarborough, Ontario, Canada
Chiu, M.W. & Sekuler, A. (Oct 24, 2022)
“Dementia Caregivers Skills Training Through Virtual Reality Simulation (VR-SIM Carers)"
Presented at: CCNA Annual Conference 2025, Calgary, Canada
Torres A., Chiu M., Craven, C., Kapralos, B., Dubrowski, A., Smith, M., Choudhury, N., Burhan, A.M. (Oct 16, 2025)
Symposium on “Apathy in neuropsychiatric disorders: significance, definitions and leading-edge interventions”
Presented at: International Psychogeriatric Association Conference, Kanazawa, Japan
Burhan, A., Lanctot, K., Hara, T., Sun, W., Torres A., Chiu, M. (Sept 26, 2025)
Exploring the Potential of Virtual Reality and Artificial Intelligence as Tools to Design, Develop and Deliver Psychotherapeutic Intervention for Family Caregivers of Persons Living with Dementia
Presented at: Alzheimer’s Association International Conference 2025, Toronto, ON.
Chiu, M., Shnall, A., Burhan, A. (2025)
A national virtual education program to promote the brain health of aging adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities
Presented at: Alzheimer’s Association International Conference 2025, Toronto, Canada.
Thakur, A., Bobbette, N., Chiu, M., Patel, P., Volpe, T., Lunsky, Y. (2025)
Technology-enabled integrated care pathway (Tech-ICP) for behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia in long-term care.
Presented at: Alzheimer’s Association International Conference 2025, Toronto, Canada.
Apostolovski, S., Holland, J., Burhan, A., Chiu, M., Derkach, P., Duggal, A., Feldman, S., Fischer, C., Freedman, M., Iaboni, A., Ma, C., Lanctôt, K., Kumar, S. et al. (2025)
Promoting Brain Health and Resilience in Family Caregivers of Adults with Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities.
Presented at: Alzheimer’s Association International Conference 2025, Toronto, Canada.
Lunsky, Y., Chiu, M., Thakur, A., Patel, P., Bobbette, N., Volpe, T., Balogh, R., Steel, L., Baskin, A., Lobo, A., Lake, L., and Brain Health IDD team (2025)
Building a Virtual Reality Platform for Dementia Caregivers Simulation-Based Skills-Training: A Technology Developer’s Perspective on Lessons Learned;
Presented at: AGE-WELL Conference 2024, Edmonton, AB, Canada
Torres, A., Chiu, M. Craven, C; Kapralos, B; Dubrowski, A., Smith, M; Burhan, A. (2024)
Work-In-Progress: An Authoring Platform for a Virtual Reality Simulation for Dementia Caregivers Skills Training.
Presented at: 2024 IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON)
Craven, C; Kapralos, B; Smith, M; Chiu, M. Burhan, A., Dubrowski, A. (2024)
Lived Experience Story-sharing by Dementia Carers
Presented at: PiPER Research Day, Toronto, Canada
Kos, Greece, Chiu, M. & Redublo, T. (2023)
Dementia Caregiver Skills Training Through Virtual Reality Simulation (VR-SIM CARERS)
Presented at: SIM Expo: The Rise of Simulation, Ottawa, Canada.
Chiu, M., Zhu, L., Mosaad, R., Burhan, A., Dubrowski, A. (2023)
Symposia on “Technology enabled care for neuropsychiatric symptoms of dementia: implementation at the point of care”
Presented at: International Psychogeriatric Association Congress, Lisbon, Portugal
Burhan, A., Sun, W., Chiu, M., Craven, C; Choundhury, S., Badawi, A., Elgazzar, K. (2023)