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

NCT06682143 | Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: IRB-300012947
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 30
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

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.

Conditions

Mobility Impairments

Keywords

stress; mobility impairment; virtual reality; greenspace

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (4)

• Perceived Stress Scale (PSS)

  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; 2 =\> 2; 3 =\> 1; 4 =\> 0). The PSS score is then obtained by summing across all items. Higher scores indicate higher levels of perceived stress.

  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).

• State-Trait Anxiety Inventory (STAI) short form

  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 ranging from 1 (not at all) to 4 (very much so). The total score can range from 5 to 20, with higher scores indicating higher levels of anxiety.

  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).

• Positive and Negative Affect Schedule

  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 1, 3, 5, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16, 17, and 19. Scores can range from 10 to 50, with higher scores indicating higher levels of positive affect. Negative Affect Score: Sum the scores of items 2, 4, 6, 7, 8, 11, 13, 15, 18, and 20. Scores can range from 10 to 50, with higher scores indicating higher levels of negative affect.

  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).

• Saliva stress biomarkers

  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. Collection: Participants will be provided with a sterile saliva collection device. They will be asked to spit into the device until it reaches the indicated fill line. Storage: The collected saliva samples will be stored in a cooler bag and then later transported to the UAB lab for storage and analyses.

  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).

Study Arms (2)

Virtual reality

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will be outfitted with a virtual reality headset. While seated in a recliner chair, participants will engage in a pre-specified VR nature experience called Nature Treks VR for 5 minutes.

Behavioral: Virtual Reality (VR)

Control

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Participants will be seated in a recliner chair and asked to sit quietly for 5 minutes.

Behavioral: Control

Interventions

Virtual Reality (VR) BEHAVIORAL

Participants will engage in a virtual reality greenspace activity for a period of 5 minutes

Virtual reality

Control BEHAVIORAL

Participants will sit quietly for a period of 5 minutes

Control

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years - 75 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• 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.

You may not qualify if:

• 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

Sponsors & Collaborators

• University of Alabama at Birmingham: lead

Study Sites (1)

University of Alabama at Birmingham

Birmingham, Alabama, 35294, United States

RECRUITING

Central Study Contacts

Principal Investigator

CONTACT

205-934-1876; lamalone@uab.edu

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Associate Professor

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: October 22, 2024
• First Posted: November 12, 2024
• Study Start: April 7, 2025
• Primary Completion: December 30, 2025
• Study Completion (Estimated): June 30, 2026
• Last Updated: April 30, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-04

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)