**Virtual Reality in Student Mental Health: Solution or White Elephant?**

NCT06480409 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: Opole
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 50
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The COVID-19 pandemic drastically altered social structures, leading to prolonged isolation and remote learning for students, causing significant mental health issues. This project at Opole University of Technology aims to address these challenges through a virtual reality (VR)-based therapeutic program. Objectives: The project will utilize immersive VR technology to conduct relaxation sessions, creating a dedicated relaxation room equipped with VR headsets and physiological sensors. The goal is to assess the impact of VR-based therapy on students' autonomic nervous system and psychological well-being. Key Hypotheses: VR relaxation sessions will induce physiological relaxation. A 15-minute VR session will not cause cybersickness. Weekly VR sessions will reduce stress levels among students. Methodology: Using Polar H-10 sensors, the project will measure heart rate variability (HRV) to evaluate autonomic responses. Psychological stress will be monitored using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10). A sample size of 50 participants, calculated with G\*Power software, will be studied using repeated measures ANOVA.

Conditions

Mental Health Issue

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (2)

• Physiological Relaxation

  Participants will be monitored via heart rate variability (HRV) indicating a balanced autonomic nervous system response.

  20 min

• Stress Levels

  Participants will be examined by the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10).

  10 min

Study Arms (1)

VR-based intervention

EXPERIMENTAL

The intervention group will participate in a structured VR-based relaxation program designed to improve mental health and reduce stress levels. The sessions will take place in a dedicated relaxation room equipped with immersive VR headsets and physiological sensors. Intervention Procedure: Duration and Frequency: Participants will engage in 15-minute VR relaxation sessions, held five times a week over a period of one month. VR Content: The VR sessions will feature high-quality 360° videos with therapeutic audio, including guided relaxation, calming music, and nature sounds.

Other: VR Mindfulness and Stress Reduction Program

Interventions

VR Mindfulness and Stress Reduction Program OTHER

Intervention Procedure: Duration and Frequency: Participants will engage in 15-minute VR relaxation sessions, held five times a week over a period of one month. VR Content: The VR sessions will feature high-quality 360° videos with therapeutic audio, including guided relaxation, calming music, and nature sounds. Physiological Monitoring: Throughout the sessions, participants' physiological responses will be monitored using Polar H-10 sensors to measure heart rate variability (HRV), providing data on autonomic nervous system activity. Psychological Assessment: Participants will complete the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS-10) before and after the intervention to evaluate changes in stress levels. Cybersickness Monitoring: The occurrence of any adverse effects, such as cybersickness, will be monitored and recorded.

VR-based intervention

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 19 Years - 30 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• acceptance to participate in the research
• age 19-30

You may not qualify if:

• diagnosed neurological diseases,
• fear of wearing goggles
• diagnosed diseases or injuries of the musculoskeletal system

Sponsors & Collaborators

• The Opole University of Technology: lead

Study Sites (1)

Faculty of Physical Education and Physiotherapy, Opole University of Technology

Opole, 45-758, Poland

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: NA
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: SINGLE GROUP
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: June 24, 2024
• First Posted: June 28, 2024
• Study Start: June 5, 2023
• Primary Completion: September 5, 2023
• Study Completion: June 5, 2024
• Last Updated: June 28, 2024

Record last verified: 2024-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

PL (1)