Exploring Virtual Reality Adventure Training Exergaming
Purpose
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.
Conditions
- Physical Activity
- Sedentary Behavior
- Depression
- Cognitive Function
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
- Quality of Life
- Anxiety
Eligibility
- Eligible Ages
- Between 18 Years and 45 Years
- Eligible Genders
- Female
- Accepts Healthy Volunteers
- Yes
Inclusion Criteria
- Are between the ages of 18 and 45 2. Identify as a U.S. military veteran 4. Normal vision (no colorblindness)
Exclusion Criteria
- 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.
Study Design
- Phase
- N/A
- Study Type
- Interventional
- Allocation
- Non-Randomized
- Intervention Model
- Parallel Assignment
- Intervention Model Description
- Two group (intervention and control) randomized trial
- Primary Purpose
- Treatment
- Masking
- Single (Participant)
Arm Groups
| Arm | Description | Assigned Intervention |
|---|---|---|
|
Experimental Intervention |
intervention participants will engage in a 30-minutes VR adventure games on a non-mobilized treadmill (5-min warm-up, 20-minutes treadmill, and 5-min cool-down) for a total of 6 sessions over 6-8 weeks. Participants in the V-RATE group will be instructed to self-pace walking/running on the treadmill while they are fully immersed in the VR games for two 10-minute bouts with a complete rest interval (heart rate reduces to normal range). Participants will complete measures at baseline, post-training, and one-month follow-up. |
|
|
No Intervention Control |
Control participants will not receive the intervention. Participants will complete measures at baseline, post-training, and one-month follow-up. |
|
Recruiting Locations
More Details
- Status
- Recruiting
- Sponsor
- The University of Texas at Arlington
Detailed Description
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.
