The Effect of Virtual Reality Application on Body Composition, Functional Capacity, Balance, and Participation in Children With Hyperlipidemia
试验速览
- 阶段
- 不适用
- 状态
- 尚未招募
- 入组人数
- 32
- 主要终点
- Body Weight
研究概览
简要总结
Children with hyperlipidemia have elevated blood lipid levels, which increase the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases later in life. Since the atherosclerotic process begins in childhood, early identification and effective management of risk factors such as physical inactivity are essential. Regular physical activity has been shown to improve lipid profiles, reduce cardiovascular risk, and support healthy body composition in children. However, long-term lifestyle and medical treatments may reduce motivation and participation, especially in pediatric populations.
Virtual reality-based exercise programs provide an engaging and interactive environment that can increase motivation and active participation in rehabilitation. Virtual reality applications allow children to perform functional movements through game-based activities while receiving visual and auditory feedback, which may enhance motor learning, balance, and functional capacity. These applications are widely used in pediatric rehabilitation and have the potential to improve adherence to exercise programs.
Participation in daily life activities at home, school, and in the community is an important component of child development. According to the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), participation refers to involvement in life situations. Children with chronic health conditions may experience limitations in participation due to physical, environmental, or motivational factors. However, participation levels of children with hyperlipidemia have not been sufficiently investigated.
The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of a virtual reality-based exercise program on body composition, functional capacity, balance, and participation in children with hyperlipidemia. The findings of this study may contribute to the development of effective, enjoyable, and sustainable rehabilitation approaches for improving physical health and participation in daily life activities in this population.
详细描述
Hyperlipidemia in childhood is an increasingly prevalent metabolic disorder associated with early initiation of the atherosclerotic process and an elevated risk of cardiovascular disease in adulthood. Since atherosclerosis begins in childhood, early identification and management of hyperlipidemia, particularly through lifestyle-based interventions, are critical for long-term cardiovascular health. Regular physical activity is known to positively influence lipid metabolism by reducing triglyceride levels, increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and improving endothelial function. However, adherence to long-term exercise and lifestyle recommendations in children is often limited due to low motivation and sedentary behaviors.
Virtual reality-based exercise interventions offer an innovative and engaging approach to increase physical activity participation in children. By providing immersive, interactive, and gamified environments, virtual reality applications can enhance motivation, enjoyment, and adherence to exercise programs. Virtual reality training integrates core principles of motor learning, including task repetition, goal-oriented movement, multisensory feedback, and active participation, which are essential for improving physical function and promoting sustained behavioral change.
This prospective randomized controlled study is designed to investigate the effects of an 8-week virtual reality-based exercise program on physical and functional outcomes in children with hyperlipidemia. Participants will be randomly allocated to either a virtual reality training group or a control group using computer-based randomization software. All assessments will be conducted by an assessor blinded to group allocation. To minimize confounding effects related to nutrition, participants in both groups will continue their usual dietary management throughout the study period.
The intervention group will participate in virtual reality-based exercise sessions twice weekly for eight weeks, with each session lasting approximately 40 minutes. Training will be delivered using the Microsoft Kinect system, a markerless motion capture technology capable of detecting and analyzing three-dimensional body movements in real time. The system enables participants to interact with virtual environments through whole-body movements and provides immediate visual and auditory feedback. Exercise sessions will include a variety of game-based activities that promote aerobic exercise, dynamic balance, coordination, and functional movement patterns. The intensity and content of the sessions are designed to support cardiovascular fitness while maintaining engagement and enjoyment.
Outcome assessments will be performed at baseline, immediately after the 8-week intervention period, and at an 8-week follow-up to examine both short-term and sustained effects of the intervention. The study evaluates changes in body composition, physical activity level, functional capacity, balance, speed and agility, flexibility, body image perception, and participation across home, school, and community settings, in accordance with the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) framework.
研究设计
- 研究类型
- Interventional
- 分配方式
- Randomized
- 干预模型
- Parallel
- 主要目的
- Supportive Care
- 盲法
- None
入排标准
- 年龄范围
- 8 Years 至 14 Years（Child）
- 性别
- All
- 接受健康志愿者
- 否
入选标准
- •Ages 8-14
- •Diagnosed with hyperlipidemia
- •No condition preventing physical activity in the past seven days
- •Children and families who volunteer to participate in the study will be included.
排除标准
- •Children with any physical, neurological, or cognitive illness
- •Children who do not wish to participate in the study
- •Children who do not complete the assessment will be excluded
研究组 & 干预措施
Experimental Group: Virtual Reality Training Group
Participants allocated to the experimental group will receive a virtual reality-based exercise program in addition to continuing their usual dietary regimen. The intervention will be delivered for 8 weeks, twice per week, with each session lasting 40 minutes. Virtual reality training will be provided using an interactive system designed to promote physical activity through game-based exercises. All assessments will be conducted by a blinded assessor.
干预措施: Virtual Reality Training (Other)
Control Group: Conventional Physiotherapy Home Exercise Group
Participants allocated to the control group will continue their usual dietary regimen and will receive general conventional physiotherapy exercises designed for home practice. These exercises will be demonstrated to the participants and their families at baseline. No virtual reality training will be provided to this group. All assessments will be conducted by a blinded assessor.
干预措施: Conventional Physiotherapy (Other)
结局指标
主要结局
Body Weight
时间窗: 8 week
Body weight will be measured using the Tanita body composition analyzer (MC-780MA) and recorded in kilograms.
Physical activity
时间窗: 8 week
Children's physical activity levels will be assessed using the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children (PAQ-C). The PAQ-C is a self-report instrument designed to evaluate general physical activity levels in children and adolescents over the previous 7 days. It consists of 10 items, of which 9 are used to calculate the activity score. The first item includes a culturally adapted activity checklist consisting of 14 common activities and is scored on a 5-point scale (1 = no activity, 5 = 7 times or more). The remaining 8 items assess physical activity during specific periods of the day or week, such as physical education classes, recess, after school, evenings, and weekends, and are also rated on a 5-point scale. The final PAQ-C score is calculated as the mean of items 1-9, with higher scores indicating higher levels of physical activity.
Functional capacity
时间窗: 8 week
Functional capacity will be assessed using the Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT). The 6MWT is a simple, practical, and objective exercise test widely used to evaluate functional exercise capacity in children. Participants will be instructed to wear comfortable clothing and appropriate footwear. They will rest before the test, and heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation (SpO₂), and perceived dyspnea using the Modified Borg Scale will be recorded before and after the test. Participants will be asked to walk back and forth along a marked 30-meter flat corridor for six minutes, aiming to cover the longest possible distance. Standardized verbal encouragement will be provided at each minute. The total distance walked in six minutes will be recorded in meters.
Participation
时间窗: 8 week
Participation and environmental factors will be assessed using the Participation and Environment Measure for Children and Youth (PEM-CY). The PEM-CY is a parent-reported questionnaire designed to evaluate participation of children and adolescents aged 5-17 years in home, school, and community settings, as well as environmental influences on participation. The participation section includes 10 activities for the home setting, 5 for the school setting, and 10 for the community setting. For each activity, parents report the frequency of participation over the past four months, the child's level of involvement using a five-point Likert scale, and whether they desire a change in the child's participation. The PEM-CY has demonstrated acceptable validity and reliability in Turkish populations.
Body Mass Index (BMI)
时间窗: 8 week
Body mass index will be calculated as body weight divided by height squared (kg/m²) using measurements obtained from the Tanita body composition analyzer (MC-780MA).
Body Fat Composition
时间窗: 8 week
Body fat composition will be assessed using the Tanita body composition analyzer (MC-780MA). Measurements will include total body fat percentage (%) and total body fat mass (kg), which together will be used to evaluate changes in overall adiposity.
次要结局
- Body Image(8 week)
- Static Balance(8 week)
- Dynamic balance(8 week)
- Speed and agility(8 week)
- Flexibility(8 week)
研究者
Duygu Korkem
Assistant Professor
Hacettepe University