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.
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.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
NA
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
12
Participants will utilize low-cost, consumer available head-mounted displays to meet with peers and coaches online. The program will last 4 weeks and include 2 x 1-hour sessions per week of supervised peer-to-peer gaming. The coaches will utilize behavioral change and mindfulness techniques to promote autonomy, competence, and relatedness through a respectful, cohesive, and positive atmosphere. These strategies will be framed by the Self-Determination Theory and learned from the National Center on Health, Physical Activity, and Disability (NCHPAD) mindfulness coaching workshops. Some of the mindfulness-based strategies will include guided breathing focused exercises, body scanning, meditation, and acceptance of social anxiety and shyness
Children's Hospital of Alabama
Birmingham, Alabama, United States
Changes in Depression
Changes in self-reported feelings of depression measured by the Children's Depression Inventory 2 Short Form (CDI-S 2).
Time frame: Changes from baseline (week 0) to post-intervention (week 5)
Changes in Social Isolation / Loneliness
Measured by the version 3 of the UCLA Loneliness Scale 20 items (UCLA-20).
Time frame: Changes from baseline (week 0) to post-intervention (week 5)
Class attendance
Percent of classes attended divided by the total
Time frame: Weeks 1 - 4
Exercise volume
Self-reported minutes of exercise per week completed. Measured by the Godin Leisure-Time Exercise Questionnaire (GLTEQ).
Time frame: Week 0 and Week 5
Quality of social interactions
A scale measure of how participants felt about the quality of social interactions they had during online virtual reality gameplay. The scale ranges from 1-5, where 5 indicates a very high quality of social interactions and a 1 indicates a very low quality of social interactions.
Time frame: Week 5
Perceived enjoyment of the group classes
A scale measure of how enjoyable online group gameplay was. The scale ranges from 1-5, where 5 indicates a very high level of perceived enjoyment with the group classes and a 1 indicates a very low perceived enjoyment with the group classes.
Time frame: Week 5
Satisfaction with program delivery
A scale measure of participants' satisfaction with how the classes were conducted. The scale ranges from 1-5, where 5 indicates a very high perceived satisfaction of the program delivery and a 1 indicates a very low perceived satisfaction with the program delivery.
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Time frame: Week 5
Multiplayer feedback survey
A questionnaire measuring multiplayer playtime (self-reported times played per week), friendship creation (yes/no), and friendship strength (assessed via Likert scale).
Time frame: Week 5
Participants Perceptions of Completing the Program
Semi-structured interviews evaluating their perceptions of completing the program, with specific attention to providing more in-depth responses (i.e.,explanations) for each of the 8 outcomes.
Time frame: Week 5