Exploring Virtual Reality Adventure Training Exergaming (V-RATE)

The University of Texas System (UT)

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Cognitive Function; Physical Activity; Post Traumatic Stress Disorder; Quality of Life; Depression; Anxiety; Sedentary Behavior

Treatments: Device: Virtual Reality-based physical activity intervention

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT05563805

UTexasArlington

Details and patient eligibility

About

The current project aims to design and implement an 8-week Virtual Reality Adventure Therapy Exergaming (V-RATE) intervention focused on women veterans. A randomized controlled trial using a repeated measure design with a 1-month follow-up assessment will be employed to examine effects on physical and mental health outcomes.

Full description

The current project aims to design and implement an 8-week Virtual Reality Adventure Therapy Exergaming (V-RATE) intervention focused on veterans. A randomized controlled trial using a repeated measure design with a 1-month follow-up assessment will be employed. The project addresses two specific aims:

Aim 1. To examine the effects of an 8-week V-RATE intervention on physical health (i.e., BMI, physical activity, sedentary behavior) among veterans. We hypothesize that after controlling for socio-demographic variables and physical activity history, individuals in the V-RATE group would exhibit more improvement in the physical health indicators after the intervention compared to individuals in the control group. We further hypothesize gains would be maintained or enhanced at 1-month follow-up measure.

Aim 2. To examine the effects of an 8-week V-RATE intervention on mental health outcomes (i.e., depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress, cognitive function, health-related quality of life), among veterans. We hypothesize that after controlling for socio-demographic variables and physical activity history, individuals in the V-RATE group will exhibit more improvement in the mental health indicators after the intervention compared to individuals in the control group. We further hypothesize gains maintained or enhanced at 1-month follow-up measure.

Enrollment: 40 estimated patients

Sex: Female

Ages: 18 to 45 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

1. Are between the ages of 18 and 45
2. Identify as a U.S. military veteran

4. Normal vision (no colorblindness)

Exclusion criteria

1. Unable to walk independently (e.g., use of any mobility assistive device such as brace, wheelchair, cane, crutch, walker, knee scooter)
2. Self-reported joint problem that limits mobility (e.g., arthritis or other condition that would prevent participation) or ongoing orthopedic injury
3. Self-reported pregnancy or suspicion of pregnancy
4. Self-reported motor disorder or impaired sense of motion or balance (such as Parkinsonism)
5. Self-reported color blindness
6. Self-reported neurological or cognitive disorder (e.g., TBI, history of seizure)
7. Self-reported cardiac surgery or any ongoing cardiovascular issues preventing participation or physical activity.

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Non-Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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40 participants in 2 patient groups

Intervention

Experimental group

Description:

intervention participants will engage in a 30-minutes VR adventure games on a non-mobilized treadmill (5-min warm-up, 20-minutes treadmill, and 5-min cool-down) for a total of 6 sessions over 6-8 weeks. Participants in the V-RATE group will be instructed to self-pace walking/running on the treadmill while they are fully immersed in the VR games for two 10-minute bouts with a complete rest interval (heart rate reduces to normal range). Participants will complete measures at baseline, post-training, and one-month follow-up.

Treatment:

Device: Virtual Reality-based physical activity intervention

Control

No Intervention group

Description:

Control participants will not receive the intervention. Participants will complete measures at baseline, post-training, and one-month follow-up.