Immersive Virtual Reality Meditation in Voice Therapy

Mount Sinai Health System

Status: Invitation-only

Conditions: Voice Disorders

Treatments: Device: Virtual Reality; Behavioral: Meditation; Behavioral: Voice therapy

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07176013

STUDY-24-01217

Details and patient eligibility

About

This study aims to explore the feasibility of incorporating regular guided meditations via immersive virtual reality (IVR) at the start of voice therapy sessions to facilitate better learning and retention of treatment. The study will involve 30 participants, and use the TRIPP application with the Meta Quest 2 virtual reality headset, known for its immersive meditation experiences designed to calm or focus the user. The objective is to investigate the immediate effects of meditation/mindfulness in IVR on vocal production, with the goal of improving self-regulation, attentional focus, and reducing vocal hyperfunction. IVR has been utilized in mental health settings and exposure therapy for various conditions, but its application in voice therapy, particularly for anxiety reduction through fully immersive meditation, remains unexplored. The study seeks to determine whether IVR can enhance therapy outcomes by improving engagement, attention, and vocal control in individuals undergoing voice therapy, potentially maximizing treatment gains. Through this research, the aim is to assess the efficacy of IVR in enhancing voice therapy interventions and addressing the unique challenges posed by stress and anxiety in voice users.

Enrollment: 60 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18+ years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• Patients with voice disorders, difficulties or laryngeal hypersensitivity, and who also have anxiety
• Must have availability to participate for entire course of 5 consistent weeks

Exclusion criteria

• Anyone not meeting inclusion criteria

• Presence of any additional medical condition significantly affecting:

  • Respiratory function (e.g., advanced lung disease)
  • Laryngeal function (e.g., status-post deep brain stimulation)
  • Lingual function
  • Velopharyngeal function (e.g., laryngectomy)

Trial design

Primary purpose: Treatment

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

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60 participants in 3 patient groups

Meditation with VR

Experimental group

Description:

Those who receive meditation in immersive virtual reality prior to voice therapy each of the 4 sessions.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Meditation

Behavioral: Voice therapy

Device: Virtual Reality

Meditation without VR

Experimental group

Description:

Those who receive meditation with verbal guidance only prior to voice therapy each of the 4 sessions.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Meditation

Behavioral: Voice therapy

No Meditation

Sham Comparator group

Description:

Those who receive standard voice therapy with no meditation.

Treatment:

Behavioral: Voice therapy