Effects of VR-based Respiratory Training on Motor Reaction Time and Correctness, Stress Levels, Attention, Motor Skills, Postural Stability and Sleep Quality in Shift Healthcare Workers

Not Applicable

Not yet recruiting

• Conditions: Healthcare Workers; Shift Work Sleep Disorder; Stress Level; Postural Stability; Attention; Time Reaction; Emergency Department; VR Breathing Exercises

• Registration Number: NCT06926257
• Lead Sponsor: Poznan University of Physical Education

Brief Summary

This study investigates the effects of virtual reality (VR)-based respiratory training on various physiological and cognitive functions in shift-working healthcare professionals, including paramedics and nurses. The research will evaluate how VR-guided breathing exercises influence: stress levels, motor reaction time and accuracy, attention and cognitive performance, motor skills and postural stability, sleep quality

Participants will be divided into three groups:

VR-based respiratory training group - performing guided breathing exercises in a VR environment.

Music-based relaxation group - listening to relaxing music without structured breathing instructions.

Control group - no intervention.

The findings will help determine whether VR-based respiratory training is an effective method for improving stress resilience, cognitive function, and physical performance in shift-working healthcare professionals.

Detailed Description

Not available

Study Timeline

• Status Verified: 2025-04
• Study Start: 2025-04-07
• Study First Submitted: 2025-04-07
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-04-11
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-04-11
• Study First Posted: 2025-04-13
• Last Update Posted: 2025-04-13
• Primary Completion: 2025-10-30
• Study Completion: 2025-12-30

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: NOT_YET_RECRUITING
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 60

Inclusion Criteria

Not provided

Exclusion Criteria

Not provided

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: PARALLEL

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Attention and reaction time	At the beginning of the study and after 4 weeks of breathing exercises.	he MOXO Test is a computer-based diagnostic tool used to assess attention and impulse control. Participants respond to various visual and auditory stimuli appearing on the screen, where they must quickly and accurately recognize those that require a response while ignoring others designed to distract them. The test lasts approximately 15-18 minutes and evaluates four key indicators: reaction time, impulsivity, hyperactivity, and inattention. This allows for a detailed analysis of the participant's cognitive abilities and identification of potential attention deficits.
Postural stability	At the beginning of the study and after 4 weeks of breathing exercises.	The assessment will be conducted using a standard, low, stable posturographic platform. The first measurement will be taken in an upright posture with an attempt to lean the body as far forward and backward as possible while maintaining stability. The second measurement involves standing on one leg.
Sleep quality	At the beginning of the study and after 4 weeks of breathing exercises.	The impact of the intervention on participants' sleep quality, particularly in the context of shift work, will be assessed using the Polish version of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). This measurement will be conducted twice: before the first night shift and before the last night shift (Mollayeva et al., 2016).
Stress level and mood	At the beginning of the study and after 4 weeks of breathing exercises.	Stress levels will be assessed using the PSS-10 Perceived Stress Scale (Cohen S., Kamarck T., Mermelstein R., 1983), adapted to Polish (Juczyński Z., Ogińska-Bulik N., 2009), which evaluates the intensity of stress related to one's life situation over the past month (Matuszczak-Świgoń et al., 2023). Additionally, the PANAS (Positive and Negative Affect Schedule) questionnaire will be used to measure participants' positive and negative affect, assessing the intensity of their emotions before and after the intervention (Piotr Brzozowski, 2019). Subjective mood and the intensity of its changes will also be evaluated using a 0-10 scale before each measurement.
Fine motor skills precision	At the beginning of the study and after 4 weeks of breathing exercises.	Fine motor skills precision will be assessed using the WorkAbility Rate of Manipulation Test (WRMT). This test is a tool for evaluating manual skills in a work-related context. It consists of a task requiring participants to transfer discs from one place to another, measuring precision, speed, and dexterity. WRMT is used in the assessment of manual task performance abilities in various industries, including vocational rehabilitation and work capacity evaluation (Wang et al., 2018).

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Poznań University of Physical Education; 🇵🇱 Poznań, Poland