COVID Feel Good-An Easy Self-Help Virtual Reality Protocol to Overcome the Psychological Burden of Coronavirus

Istituto Auxologico Italiano

Status: Completed

Conditions: Depression; Anxiety Disorders; Social Isolation; COVID-19 Pandemic Psychological Impact; Stress

Treatments: Other: Waiting Period; Behavioral: COVID Feel Good VR Self-Help Protocol

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT06850376

39C001

Details and patient eligibility

About

This pragmatic trial aims to evaluate whether a weekly self-help virtual reality protocol can help overcome the psychological burden of the COVID-19 pandemic. The protocol is based on 'The Secret Garden' 360° VR video available online (www.covidfeelgood.com) which simulates a natural environment to promote relaxation and self-reflection. The VR experience is combined with daily cognitive and social exercises designed to facilitate critical examination of personal identity, relationships, and coping strategies. The study assesses whether this intervention can reduce anxiety, depression, perceived stress, and hopelessness while improving well-being and social connectedness during pandemic-related restrictions.

Enrollment: 36 patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Adult participants (≥18 years)
• Native speakers of the country where they will be enrolled
• Have experienced at least two months of quarantine or isolation related to the coronavirus pandemic
• Provide full, written, informed consent
• Have the availability of a smartphone and a cardboard VR headset
• Availability and agreement of a partner for conducting the self-help component of the treatment

Exclusion criteria

• Visual or hearing impairments that can limit the participation in the protocol
• Participants reporting vestibular and/or balance disorders

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: None (Open label)

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36 participants in 2 patient groups

VR Self-Help Protocol

Experimental group

Description:

Participants in this arm receive the 7-day COVID Feel Good self-help protocol immediately upon enrollment. The intervention consists of daily exposure to the 'Secret Garden' 360° VR video combined with specific daily cognitive and social exercises. Participants use a VR headset compatible with the Cardboard format to experience the 10-minute VR video once per day for 7 consecutive days, followed by completing the daily exercise with a partner.

Treatment:

Behavioral: COVID Feel Good VR Self-Help Protocol

Waiting List Control

Other group

Description:

Participants in this arm are placed on a waiting list for 7 days before receiving the intervention. During this waiting period, they complete the same baseline assessments as the experimental group but do not receive any specific intervention. After the 7-day waiting period, these participants then receive the same 7-day VR self-help protocol.

Treatment:

Other: Waiting Period