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

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial examines how virtual reality (VR) nature experiences might reduce stress for individuals with mobility challenges. Participants will either experience a VR nature scene or sit quietly, and researchers will compare stress levels. The trial aims to determine if VR can provide a calming effect similar to being in a real green space. Adults with mobility impairments, such as those from cerebral palsy or multiple sclerosis, who have good upper body use, may be suitable for the trial. As an unphased trial, this study provides a unique opportunity to explore innovative stress-reduction methods.

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 prior data suggests that this virtual reality treatment is safe for adults with mobility impairments?

Research has shown that virtual reality (VR) is generally safe for managing stress and anxiety. Studies have found that VR can reduce stress without medication, yielding positive results. Users often report feeling less stressed. In one study, stress levels dropped by about 19.6% after using VR.

VR is frequently used in mental health care and has proven effective for conditions like anxiety and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). These findings suggest that people generally tolerate VR well, with no major safety issues reported.

Overall, VR seems to be a safe option for managing stress. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about using virtual reality (VR) for stress in individuals with mobility impairments because it offers a completely new way to engage the mind and senses without physical movement. Unlike traditional stress-relief methods, which might include medication or therapy sessions, VR immerses participants in calming nature scenes, providing an immediate sense of relaxation and mental escape. This innovative approach could be particularly beneficial for those with limited mobility, offering them an accessible way to manage stress and improve their mental well-being.

What evidence suggests that virtual reality is effective for stress in mobility impairment?

Research shows that virtual reality (VR) can help manage stress and anxiety. VR therapy often leaves people feeling better and less anxious after each session. Studies have found that distress levels can drop by 19.6% with VR cognitive therapy. In this trial, participants in the experimental arm will experience a VR nature session, which promises to manage stress by creating calming virtual environments. This approach could benefit people with mobility issues by reducing stress. ^{2 3 6 7 8}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

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.

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

Score below 24 on the Mini Mental State Exam

Timeline for a Trial Participant

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)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

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.

How Is the Trial Designed?

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+

Published Research Related to This Trial

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 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]

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]

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]

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]

Citations

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pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11323791/

Virtual Reality and Stress Management: A Systematic Review

In behaviour test ratings, VR Cognitive Therapy led to a 19.6% reduction in real-world distress compared to VR Exposure (p = 0.020; Cohen's ...

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pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11015360/

Effectiveness of Virtual Reality–Based Well-Being ...

This systematic review questions the effectiveness of VR interventions in reducing stress and promoting well-being in students and young adults.

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sciencedirect.com

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Virtual reality in the management of stress and anxiety ...

We conducted a retrospective analysis of health records of people experiencing stress and anxiety who were treated principally in the metaverse using virtual ...

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This trial aims to compare VR-assisted cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) with yoga interventions to find effective treatments.

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tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/20008066.2025.2488097

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Effective Therapy: Immersive 360° VR therapy demonstrates a rapid improvement in mood and reduction in anxiety following each session, and reduced anxiety by ...

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What Is VR Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (VR CBT)?

It's used to treat a wide range of mental health conditions—including anxiety, depression, PTSD, OCD, eating disorders, substance use, and even ...

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psytechvr.com

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Virtual reality is used to provide a non-pharmacological approach for the management of pain and the reduction of stress in clinical ...

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Virtual Reality-Based Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Major ...

Virtual reality (VR) technology is widely used for cognitive training for conditions such as anxiety disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder ...