Virtual Reality for Stress in Mobility Impairment

Overseen By Principal Investigator

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Alabama at Birmingham

Must not be taking: Oral corticosteroids

Disqualifiers: Visual impairment, Endocrine disorder, others

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 2

Duration: 1 day

30 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Do I need to stop my current medications for the trial?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but if you are taking oral corticosteroids, you cannot participate.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Virtual Reality (VR) for stress in mobility impairment?

Research shows that virtual reality (VR) can be effective in treating anxiety and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by providing immersive environments that help patients manage stress. This suggests that VR might also help reduce stress in people with mobility impairments by offering similar immersive and engaging experiences. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is virtual reality therapy safe for humans?

Research on virtual reality therapy, including for anxiety and PTSD, generally shows it to be safe for humans, with no major side effects reported in the studies reviewed. ^{2 3 6 7 8}

How is the Virtual Reality treatment for stress in mobility impairment different from other treatments?

Virtual Reality (VR) therapy is unique because it uses immersive, computer-generated environments to help reduce stress, offering an innovative and engaging way to manage stress compared to traditional methods. Unlike standard treatments, VR can provide real-time feedback and create controlled environments that are difficult to replicate in real life, making it a modern and effective tool for stress reduction. ^{2 3 7 9 10}

What is the purpose of this trial?

The purpose of this project is to examine the effects of virtual reality greenspace exposure on physiological and affective acute stress responses among adults with mobility impairments.

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults with mobility impairments who are interested in participating in a study to understand how virtual reality greenspace can affect stress levels. Specific eligibility criteria details were not provided.

Inclusion Criteria

I have difficulty moving my legs due to a condition like cerebral palsy or MS but can use my arms.

Exclusion Criteria

I have a hormone disorder affecting my cortisol levels.

I am currently taking oral corticosteroids.

Impairment in visual acuity as measured by a Snellen eye chart <20/70 after correction

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 week

Treatment

Participants undergo the Trier Social Stress Test followed by either a VR greenspace activity or a control activity

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for physiological and affective stress responses at multiple timepoints

1 day

1 visit (in-person)

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Virtual Reality (VR)

Trial Overview The study is testing the impact of experiencing greenspaces through Virtual Reality (VR) on reducing stress compared to a control group without VR exposure among adults with mobility impairments.

Participant Groups

Group I: Virtual reality Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants will be outfitted with a virtual reality headset. While seated in a recliner chair, participants will engage in a pre-specified VR nature experience called Nature Treks VR for 5 minutes.

Group II: Control Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Participants will be seated in a recliner chair and asked to sit quietly for 5 minutes.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,677

Recruited

2,458,000+

Findings from Research

The mobile game-based VR rehabilitation program (MoU-Rehab) significantly improved upper extremity function in stroke patients compared to conventional therapy, as measured by the Fugl-Meyer Assessment and other metrics.

The program was well-tolerated with no adverse effects reported, and patients expressed high satisfaction, indicating its feasibility as a rehabilitation tool for upper limb recovery after ischemic stroke.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mobile game-based virtual reality rehabilitation program for upper limb dysfunction after ischemic stroke. Choi, YH., Ku, J., Lim, H., et al.[2019]

Virtual Reality (VR) interventions have been shown to significantly reduce symptoms of various anxiety disorders in adults, making them a promising alternative to traditional exposure therapy.

These VR treatments are generally well-accepted by clients and have minimal side effects, although caution is advised for Combat-Related PTSD in Vietnam veterans, indicating the need for further research in this area.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Virtual reality interventions for the treatment of anxiety disorders: A scoping review. Andersen, NJ., Schwartzman, D., Martinez, C., et al.[2023]

Virtual reality exposure (VRE) treatment for a Vietnam combat veteran with PTSD resulted in significant reductions in PTSD symptoms, with a 34% decrease in clinician-rated scores and a 45% decrease in self-rated scores.

The treatment effects were sustained over a 6-month follow-up period, suggesting that VRE could be a promising alternative to traditional exposure therapies for PTSD.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Virtual reality exposure therapy for PTSD Vietnam Veterans: a case study. Rothbaum, BO., Hodges, L., Alarcon, R., et al.[2015]

Virtual reality (VR) shows promise as an effective assessment and treatment tool for anxiety disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder, but its use in clinical practice remains limited despite rapid advancements in technology.

VR is particularly appealing for younger patients due to its engaging and playful elements, which may facilitate treatment and preventive interventions, highlighting the need for further research and integration into clinical settings.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The use of virtual reality in assessment and treatment of anxiety and related disorders. Meyerbröker, K., Morina, N.[2021]

A systematic review of 18 studies involving 848 participants found that virtual reality (VR) relaxation is a feasible and acceptable intervention that can effectively promote relaxation and reduce stress in adults with mental health conditions, particularly those experiencing anxiety and stress-related issues.

The studies utilized various nature-based virtual environments, demonstrating short-term effectiveness, and the methodological quality of most studies was rated as 'strong', indicating reliable evidence for the benefits of VR relaxation.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Virtual reality relaxation for people with mental health conditions: a systematic review. Riches, S., Jeyarajaguru, P., Taylor, L., et al.[2023]

In an open clinical trial involving 10 Vietnam combat veterans with PTSD, virtual reality exposure therapy (VRE) led to a statistically significant reduction in PTSD symptoms at a 6-month follow-up, with reductions ranging from 15% to 67% for all participants.

The therapy was effective across all symptom clusters of PTSD, indicating that VRE could be a promising alternative treatment for veterans, although self-reported symptoms showed mixed results at the 6-month mark.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Virtual reality exposure therapy for Vietnam veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder. Rothbaum, BO., Hodges, LF., Ready, D., et al.[2019]

A study involving 50 psychiatric patients showed that the VR relaxation tool (VRelax) significantly reduced negative affective states, such as anxiety and sadness, more effectively than standard relaxation exercises.

Both VRelax and standard relaxation improved overall mood, but VRelax provided a greater immediate benefit in specific emotional states, suggesting it could be a valuable self-management tool for enhancing psychiatric treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Virtual Reality Relaxation for Patients With a Psychiatric Disorder: Crossover Randomized Controlled Trial. Veling, W., Lestestuiver, B., Jongma, M., et al.[2021]

References

1. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mobile game-based virtual reality rehabilitation program for upper limb dysfunction after ischemic stroke. [2019]

2. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Virtual reality interventions for the treatment of anxiety disorders: A scoping review. [2023]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Virtual reality exposure therapy for PTSD Vietnam Veterans: a case study. [2015]

4. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The use of virtual reality in assessment and treatment of anxiety and related disorders. [2021]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The VEPSY updated project: virtual reality in clinical psychology. [2006]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Comparing virtual reality exposure therapy to present-centered therapy with 11 U.S. Vietnam veterans with PTSD. [2019]

7. Germany pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Virtual reality relaxation for people with mental health conditions: a systematic review. [2023]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Virtual reality exposure therapy for Vietnam veterans with posttraumatic stress disorder. [2019]

9. Canada pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Virtual Reality Relaxation for Patients With a Psychiatric Disorder: Crossover Randomized Controlled Trial. [2021]

10. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Review of Psychophysiological and Psychotherapeutic Studies of Stress Using Virtual Reality Technologies. [2023]