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Exercise with Virtual Reality for Depression

N/A
Waitlist Available
Led By Judy R Wilson, Ph.D.
Research Sponsored by The University of Texas at Arlington
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Be older than 18 years old
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up 10 minutes
Awards & highlights
No Placebo-Only Group

Summary

This trial is testing if riding a stationary bike while watching virtual reality scenes can improve mood in adults over 18, especially those with depressive symptoms. The exercise raises heart rate and releases endorphins, while VR makes it more enjoyable.

Who is the study for?
This trial is for men and women over 18 who are mostly inactive, have normal vision without color blindness, and may or may not be experiencing symptoms of depression. It's not suitable for those under 18 or over 65, pregnant women, individuals with asthma, leg injuries, mental disorders other than depression, cardiac issues, or a BMI over 30.
What is being tested?
The study is testing the impact of exercise combined with virtual reality on mood. Participants will ride a cycle ergometer—a stationary exercise bike—while immersed in a virtual environment to see if it affects their depression.
What are the potential side effects?
Since this intervention involves physical activity and virtual reality exposure, potential side effects might include motion sickness from VR use and typical exercise-related discomforts such as muscle soreness.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~10 minutes
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and 10 minutes for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary study objectives
Beck Depression Inventory Scale of Measurement
Neuropsychological Outcomes: Motor Screen Tasks (MOT)
Spatial Working Memory (SWM)
Secondary study objectives
Neuropsychological Outcomes: MOT Mean Latency, MOT Total Correct, and MOT Total Errors

Awards & Highlights

No Placebo-Only Group
All patients enrolled in this study will receive some form of active treatment.

Trial Design

2Treatment groups
Experimental Treatment
Group I: Cycle Ergometer and Virtual RealityExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
30 min ride on cycle ergometer while viewing neighborhood scenes using virtual reality
Group II: Cycle ErgometerExperimental Treatment1 Intervention
30 min ride on cycle ergometer
Treatment
First Studied
Drug Approval Stage
How many patients have taken this drug
Exercise and virtual reality
2022
N/A
~100

Research Highlights

Information in this section is not a recommendation. We encourage patients to speak with their healthcare team when evaluating any treatment decision.
Mechanism Of Action
Side Effect Profile
Prior Approvals
Other Research
Common treatments for depression, such as physical exercise and virtual reality (VR) therapies, work through several mechanisms. Physical exercise boosts mood by increasing endorphins and neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine, which are often low in depression. It also reduces inflammation and promotes neurogenesis, enhancing brain function and resilience. VR therapies offer immersive experiences that distract from negative thoughts, reduce anxiety, and create positive, engaging environments. These mechanisms are important for depression patients as they provide non-pharmacological options that can complement traditional treatments, potentially leading to better overall outcomes.
Movement therapy with depressed inpatients: a randomized multiple single case design.Efficacy and acceptability of different interventions for acrophobia: A network meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials.Using virtual reality to target positive autobiographical memory in individuals with moderate-to-moderately severe depressive symptoms: A single case experimental design.

Who is running the clinical trial?

The University of Texas at ArlingtonLead Sponsor
44 Previous Clinical Trials
4,748 Total Patients Enrolled
2 Trials studying Depression
500 Patients Enrolled for Depression
Judy R Wilson, Ph.D.Principal InvestigatorUTArlington

Media Library

Cycle Ergometer and Virtual Reality Clinical Trial Eligibility Overview. Trial Name: NCT05973461 — N/A
Depression Research Study Groups: Cycle Ergometer and Virtual Reality, Cycle Ergometer
Depression Clinical Trial 2023: Cycle Ergometer and Virtual Reality Highlights & Side Effects. Trial Name: NCT05973461 — N/A
Cycle Ergometer and Virtual Reality 2023 Treatment Timeline for Medical Study. Trial Name: NCT05973461 — N/A
~17 spots leftby Jun 2025