Group-Based Online Virtual Reality Gaming to Improve Mental Health Among Children With Physical Disabilities

The University of Alabama at Birmingham

Status and phase

Completed

Phase 1

Conditions

Disability Physical

Treatments

Behavioral: Intervention

Study type

Interventional

Funder types

Other

Identifiers

NCT05259462

CEDHARS6306

Details and patient eligibility

About

COVID-19 has had a negative impact on the mental health of many children with physical disabilities. This project aims to test the potential effects of an online multiplayer virtual reality group-based, active video game program on social isolation and depression and will include a total of 12 children with physical disabilities.

Full description

This pilot feasibility study will investigate the potential effects of a revised multiplayer virtual reality exergaming program on depression, socialization, and loneliness among children with physical disabilities. This proposed study will use both quantitative and qualitative research methods, to gain a deep understanding of program benefits and implementation procedures that can be refined for a large clinical trial. The active video game program will last 1-month and include 2 supervised 1-hour sessions per week of group-based gaming. Game sessions will be supervised by 2 research staff who will act as gaming and mindfulness coaches. Outcomes will be measured by self-report questionnaires before and after the program. The program will be completed in two waves (6 people per wave). After the program, participants will undergo a one-on-one semi-structured interview, where they can describe their perceptions of the program.

Enrollment

12 patients

Sex

All

Ages

13 to 19 years old

Volunteers

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

self-reported mobility disability (e.g., use of a mobility device or presence of a mobility impairment)
access to a Wi-Fi internet connection in the home
a caregiver to support the child if <18 years of age
a Facebook account to link to the virtual reality head-mounted display

Exclusion criteria

physically active (defined as >150 minutes/week of moderate-to-vigorous intensity exercise)
cannot use the arms for exercise or operate the controller buttons using their fingers
prone to seizures
complete blindness or deafness
unable to communicate verbally in English