Clinical trial NCT06682143: The Effects of Virtual Reality Greenspace on Stress Among Adults With Mobility Impairments
Official title: The Effects of Virtual Reality Greenspace Exposure on Physiological and Affective Acute Stress Responses Among Adults With Mobility Impairments: A Pilot Study
Study type: INTERVENTIONAL
Overall status: RECRUITING
Phase: NA
Conditions: Mobility Impairments
Keywords: stress
mobility impairment
virtual reality
greenspace
Lead sponsor: University of Alabama at Birmingham
Sponsor class: OTHER
First posted: 2024-11-12
Enrollment: 30
Sex: ALL
Minimum age (years): 18
Maximum age (years): 75
Standard ages: ADULT
OLDER_ADULT
Accepts healthy volunteers: no
Allocation: RANDOMIZED
Intervention model: PARALLEL
Primary purpose: TREATMENT

Brief summary: The purpose of this project is to examine the effects of virtual reality greenspace exposure on physiological and affective acute stress responses among adults with mobility impairments.

Detailed description: Exposure to greenspace is known to yield numerous mental and physical health benefits such as improved mood, decreased stress, and increased levels of physical activity. Regular access to greenspace however is difficult for various segments of the population including individuals with disabilities or chronic health conditions. Numerous factors contribute to this difficulty including architectural barriers, shortage of accessible trails, and limited transportation options. These challenges have led to a growing interest in exploring the use of virtual reality (VR) greenspace environments. Studies have demonstrated that VR greenspace exposure can reduce stress and improve mood and mental well-being in various populations but has not been tested among individuals with mobility impairments who experience high levels of stress. During a single lab visit, participants will be randomized to VR greenspace activity or control, undergo the Trier Social Stress Test. The VR group will then engage in a series of nature-based VR activities. The Control group will sit quietly. Assessments will be collected at 4 timepoints. Physiological stress responses will be measured via changes in BP, HR, and two saliva measures (salivary alpha-amylase, salivary cortisol). Affective response (stress, affect, anxiety) will be assessed using self-report surveys. This study will provide insight into the influence of VR greenspace exposure on stress recovery (physiological and affective responses), among individuals with mobility impairments.

Eligibility criteria: Inclusion Criteria:

* Age between 18 and 75 years
* A self-reported lower extremity mobility impairment (e.g., cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, stroke) with partial or full use of the upper extremities.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Impairment in visual acuity as measured by a Snellen eye chart \<20/70 after correction
* Regular engagement (\>20 minutes/week) in virtual reality greenspace activity
* Having an endocrine disorder (that can affect cortisol levels)
* Taking oral corticosteroids
* Score below 24 on the Mini Mental State Exam

Primary outcomes:
measure: Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)
timeFrame: The survey will be completed at 4 timepoints: 1) Baseline (Stage 1) 2) Immediately after the Trier Social Stress Test (Stage 2); 3) Immediately following the VR or control activity; 4) 20 minutes after completion of the activity (VR or control).
measure: State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) short form
timeFrame: The survey will be completed at 4 timepoints: 1) Baseline (Stage 1); 2) Immediately after the Trier Social Stress Test (Stage 2); 3) Immediately following the VR or control activity; 4) 20 minutes after completion of the activity (VR or control).
measure: Positive and Negative Affect Schedule
timeFrame: The survey will be completed at 4 timepoints: 1) Baseline (Stage 1); 2) Immediately after the Trier Social Stress Test (Stage 2); 3) Immediately following the VR or control activity; 4) 20 minutes after completion of the activity (VR or control).
measure: Saliva stress biomarkers
timeFrame: The saliva will be collected at 4 timepoints: 1) Baseline (Stage 1); 2) Immediately after the Trier Social Stress Test (Stage 2); 3) Immediately following the VR or control activity; 4) 20 minutes after completion of the activity (VR or control).
Secondary outcomes:
Other outcomes:
Locations:
city: Birmingham
country: United States
facility: University of Alabama at Birmingham
state: Alabama
Study officials:
References: