Improving Social Isolation and Loneliness Among Children With Physical Disabilities Through Group-Based Online Virtual Reality Gaming
Overview
- Phase
- Phase 1
- Intervention
- Not specified
- Conditions
- Disability Physical
- Sponsor
- University of Alabama at Birmingham
- Enrollment
- 12
- Locations
- 1
- Primary Endpoint
- Changes in Social Isolation / Loneliness
- Status
- Completed
- Last Updated
- 3 years ago
Overview
Brief Summary
COVID-19 has had a negative impact on the mental health of many children with physical disabilities. This project aims to test the potential effects of an online multiplayer virtual reality group-based, active video game program on social isolation and depression and will include a total of 12 children with physical disabilities.
Detailed Description
This pilot feasibility study will investigate the potential effects of a revised multiplayer virtual reality exergaming program on depression, socialization, and loneliness among children with physical disabilities. This proposed study will use both quantitative and qualitative research methods, to gain a deep understanding of program benefits and implementation procedures that can be refined for a large clinical trial. The active video game program will last 1-month and include 2 supervised 1-hour sessions per week of group-based gaming. Game sessions will be supervised by 2 research staff who will act as gaming and mindfulness coaches. Outcomes will be measured by self-report questionnaires before and after the program. The program will be completed in two waves (6 people per wave). After the program, participants will undergo a one-on-one semi-structured interview, where they can describe their perceptions of the program.
Investigators
Byron Lai
Assistant Professor
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Eligibility Criteria
Inclusion Criteria
- •self-reported mobility disability (e.g., use of a mobility device or presence of a mobility impairment)
- •access to a Wi-Fi internet connection in the home
- •a caregiver to support the child if \<18 years of age
- •a Facebook account to link to the virtual reality head-mounted display
Exclusion Criteria
- •physically active (defined as \>150 minutes/week of moderate-to-vigorous intensity exercise)
- •cannot use the arms for exercise or operate the controller buttons using their fingers
- •prone to seizures
- •complete blindness or deafness
- •unable to communicate verbally in English
Outcomes
Primary Outcomes
Changes in Social Isolation / Loneliness
Time Frame: Changes from baseline (week 0) to post-intervention (week 5)
Measured by the version 3 of the UCLA Loneliness Scale 20 items (UCLA-20).
Changes in Depression
Time Frame: Changes from baseline (week 0) to post-intervention (week 5)
Changes in self-reported feelings of depression measured by the Children's Depression Inventory 2 Short Form (CDI-S 2).
Secondary Outcomes
- Multiplayer feedback survey(Week 5)
- Participants Perceptions of Completing the Program(Week 5)
- Class attendance(Weeks 1 - 4)
- Exercise volume(Week 0 and Week 5)
- Quality of social interactions(Week 5)
- Perceived enjoyment of the group classes(Week 5)
- Satisfaction with program delivery(Week 5)