Virtual Reality-enhanced Exercise and Education in Cardiac Rehabilitation

Thomas Jefferson University72 enrolled

Overview

This study incorporates a virtual reality (VR) simulated walking environment, with audio component of patient education, into the treadmill portion of outpatient cardiac rehabilitation (CR). The VR program was developed by Plas.MD and is named Bionautica Trails.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

OTHER

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Adherence, Patient Motivation Satisfaction

Interventions

Virtual walking trailsOTHER

During time on the treadmill, participants walk in front of Bionautica Trails, the virtual walking trails created by Plas.md. Participants can select between seven trails including various nature themed trails and a space setting. While walking, participants wear wireless headphones that provide audio of cardiac rehabilitation education at random intervals. These education pieces cover six categories of information: Understanding Your Heart Condition, Diet, Exercise, Medication, Managing Risk Factors, and Emotional Health.

Standard of careOTHER

Participants receive normal standard of care cardiac rehabilitation, completing multiple pieces of exercise equipment at increasing intervals according to the Jefferson Methodist Cardiac Rehabilitation program's protocols. Participants are given the option to use the treadmill for "up to" 15 minutes.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 Years

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Participants must independently choose or be referred to Jefferson Health Methodist Cardiac Rehabilitation Program for outpatient cardiac rehabilitation. * Participants must have a referring cardiac condition requiring cardiac rehabilitation therapy. Exclusion Criteria: * Physical inability to use treadmill * Medically unsafe to use a treadmill for 15 minutes * Inability to understand English * Unable to provide consent

Locations (1)

Jefferson Health Methodist Cardiac Rehabilitation Program

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Comparison of Participant 6-minute Walk Test Improvement Between Control and Intervention Groups

Each participant will complete a 6MWT at both their first and last cardiac rehab treatment sessions. Distance improvement between first and last treatment session is expected for all participants. Average distance improvement (measured in feet) between study arms will be compared to evaluate effectiveness of interventions.

Time frame: From date of enrollment through study completion, an average of 12 weeks

Secondary Outcomes

Participant Satisfaction with Cardiac Rehab Treatment

All participants are asked to complete a satisfaction survey, utilizing likert scales and location specific questions to evaluate their satisfaction with treatment. Questions delineate the differences between experiences part of standard of care and those specific to the trial.

Time frame: At completion of cardiac rehab treatment, an average of 12 weeks

Participant Cardiac Education Retention

Participants will complete a brief, 5-question, education quiz at several times throughout their rehabilitation treatment. The quiz will be administered to establish a baseline of their cardiac knowledge prior to treatment, at the end of their treatment to evaluate primary comprehension, and again after treatment to evaluate longterm retention of information. Quiz scores and trends will be compared between study arms.

Time frame: At enrollment; at date of treatment completion, average of 12 weeks; two months following treatment completion

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

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