Yoga With and Without VR for Core, Balance, and Stress in University Students

Istinye University

Status: Enrolling

Conditions: Health-Related Behavior

Treatments: Other: Virtual Reality; Other: Yoga

Study type: Interventional

Funder types: Other

Identifiers

NCT07310017

25-38

Details and patient eligibility

About

The present study aims to investigate the combined and comparative effects of yoga exercise performed with and without virtual reality (VR) support on stress levels, core stabilization, and balance in university students aged 18-30. Participants will be screened using validated stress assessment tools to ensure inclusion of individuals with moderate to high perceived stress. Eligible participants will then be randomly assigned to one of two groups:(1) a virtual reality yoga group (VRYG), in which yoga sessions are delivered through immersive VR environments with therapist-guided breathing and movement instruction; and (2) a Traditional Yoga Group (TYG), in which the same therapist will give the same breathing and movement instructions without VR.

Both groups will undergo 12 supervised sessions over a period of four weeks (three sessions per week, each lasting 30 minutes). The intervention protocol includes a structured series of yoga postures designed to target trunk stability, flexibility, and balance, along with breathing techniques such as diaphragmatic breathing and the 4-7-8 method to promote relaxation and stress reduction. The VR group will perform these exercise within calming, immersive virtual environments,while the control group will perform them in a quite,well-lit physical space.

Outcome measures will be collected at baseline and after completion of the intervention. Psychological stress will be evaluated using the Depression, anxiety, and stress scale (DASS-21) with a focus on the stress sub-scale.Physiological indicators, including heart rate and blood pressure will be recorded at rest. Core stabilization will be assessed through plank and side-plank endurance tests, while balance will be evaluated using both static (single-leg stance) and dynamic (Y-Balance Test) protocols. These measures will allow for a comprehensive analysis of the intervention's effects on both mental and physical domains of health.

Enrollment: 32 estimated patients

Sex: All

Ages: 18 to 30 years old

Volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Inclusion criteria

• University student aged 18-30
• Moderate-to-high perceived stress levels (DASS-21)
• No contraindications for yoga or VR use

Exclusion criteria

• Diagnosed psychological conditions requiring treatment
• Musculoskeletal limitations that prevent participation
• Use of medications affecting stress
• Current participation in structured stress-reduction programs

Trial design

Primary purpose: Supportive Care

Allocation: Randomized

Interventional model: Parallel Assignment

Masking: Single Blind

---

32 participants in 2 patient groups

Virtual Reality Yoga Group

Experimental group

Treatment:

Other: Virtual Reality

Other: Yoga

Traditional Yoga Group

Active Comparator group

Treatment:

Other: Yoga