Exploring Virtual Reality Adventure Training Exergaming

The University of Texas at Arlington40 enrolled

Overview

The current project aims to design and implement an 8-week Virtual Reality Adventure Therapy Exergaming (V-RATE) intervention focused on women veterans. A randomized controlled trial using a repeated measure design with a 1-month follow-up assessment will be employed to examine effects on physical and mental health outcomes.

The current project aims to design and implement an 8-week Virtual Reality Adventure Therapy Exergaming (V-RATE) intervention focused on veterans. A randomized controlled trial using a repeated measure design with a 1-month follow-up assessment will be employed. The project addresses two specific aims: Aim 1. To examine the effects of an 8-week V-RATE intervention on physical health (i.e., BMI, physical activity, sedentary behavior) among veterans. We hypothesize that after controlling for socio-demographic variables and physical activity history, individuals in the V-RATE group would exhibit more improvement in the physical health indicators after the intervention compared to individuals in the control group. We further hypothesize gains would be maintained or enhanced at 1-month follow-up measure. Aim 2. To examine the effects of an 8-week V-RATE intervention on mental health outcomes (i.e., depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress, cognitive function, health-related quality of life), among veterans. We hypothesize that after controlling for socio-demographic variables and physical activity history, individuals in the V-RATE group will exhibit more improvement in the mental health indicators after the intervention compared to individuals in the control group. We further hypothesize gains maintained or enhanced at 1-month follow-up measure.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

NON_RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Interventions

Virtual Reality-based physical activity interventionDEVICE

The V-RATE intervention will be delivered through a 360-degree non-mobilized treadmill in a university clinical laboratory for 6-8-weeks (1-2 days/week, 30 minutes/session) totaling 6 sessions. The V-RATE program will be focused on creating a safe and immersive environment supportive of physical activity. The treadmill enables an individual can walk and run at self-paced speed, moving in 360-degrees (i.e., forwards, sideways, and backwards) without risk of falling. The core feature of the self-paced treadmill is a concave walking platform with an adjustable waist hardness that enables a safe, smooth, natural gait while adults with elevated BMI engage in an immersive walking and running motion. During the V-RATE intervention, participants will self-pace their locomotor action (walking/running/bending/ jumping) while they wear the VR headset and experience immersive VR adventure games using the Omniverse VR system.

Eligibility

Sex: FEMALEMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 45 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: 1. Are between the ages of 18 and 45 2. Identify as a U.S. military veteran 4\. Normal vision (no colorblindness) Exclusion Criteria: 1. Unable to walk independently (e.g., use of any mobility assistive device such as brace, wheelchair, cane, crutch, walker, knee scooter) 2. Self-reported joint problem that limits mobility (e.g., arthritis or other condition that would prevent participation) or ongoing orthopedic injury 3. Self-reported pregnancy or suspicion of pregnancy 4. Self-reported motor disorder or impaired sense of motion or balance (such as Parkinsonism) 5. Self-reported color blindness 6. Self-reported neurological or cognitive disorder (e.g., TBI, history of seizure) 7. Self-reported cardiac surgery or any ongoing cardiovascular issues preventing participation or physical activity.

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Change in depression from baseline to week 6-8 and one-month follow-up (Week 12)

Depression will be measured by self-report using the nine-item Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9).

Time frame: Baseline, Week 6-8, Week 12