The Effects of Virtual Reality Greenspace on Stress Among Adults With Mobility Impairments

Not Applicable

Not yet recruiting

• Conditions: Mobility Impairments

• Registration Number: NCT06682143
• Lead Sponsor: University of Alabama at Birmingham

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 ...

Basic Information
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Recruitment & Eligibility
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Study & Design
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Trial Locations

Study Timeline

• Study First Submitted: 2024-10-22
• Study First Submitted QC: 2024-11-07
• Study First Posted: 2024-11-12
• Status Verified: 2024-12
• Last Update Submitted: 2024-12-13
• Last Update Posted: 2024-12-18
• Study Start: 2025-01-01
• Primary Completion: 2025-12-30
• Study Completion: 2026-06-30

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 30

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.

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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

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Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)	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).	The survey consists of 10 questions that assess the frequency of feelings and thoughts related to stress on a 5-point Likert scale (Never = 0, Almost never = 1, Sometimes = 2, Fairly often = 3; Very often = 4). To calculate a total PSS score, responses to the four positively stated items (items 4, 5, 7 and 8) first need to be reversed (i.e. 0 =\> 4; 1 =\> 3;...
State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) short form	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).	The 5-item short form of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) is designed to quickly assess anxiety levels. The questions measure state (temporary feelings of anxiety) and trait anxiety (general tendency to experience anxiety).The STAI short form is scored by summing the responses to each of the five items, which are rated on a 4-point Likert scale rangi...
Positive and Negative Affect Schedule	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).	The Positive and Negative Affect Schedule (PANAS) is designed to measure positive and negative affect. It consists of 20 items, with 10 items each for positive affect (PA) and negative affect (NA). Respondents rate each item on a 5-point Likert scale ranging from 1 (very slightly or not at all) to 5 (extremely). Positive Affect Score: Sum the scores of items...
Saliva stress biomarkers	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).	Saliva samples will be collected to measure stress biomarkers. The process is simple and non-invasive: Preparation: Participants should avoid eating, drinking (except water), brushing teeth, or using mouthwash for at least 30 minutes before sample collection.; ...

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Alabama at Birmingham; 🇺🇸 Birmingham, Alabama, United States