Effect Of Virtual Reality On Pulmonary Function And Anxiety Levels In Asthmatic Patients

NCT07141212 | Not Yet Recruiting

• 1 other identifier: Virtual Reality in Asthma
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 40
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The Purpose of the Study This study will be conducted to determine the effect of virtual reality on pulmonary function and anxiety levels in moderate to severe asthmatic patients.

Conditions

Asthma

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (7)

• Control pause breathing test

  It is part of the Buteyko method of breathing exercises and is designed to measure the length of time a person can comfortably hold their breath after a normal exhalation. its normal range is between 0-60 seconds, less than 20 seconds means poor control.

  8 weeks

• Asthma control test

  It was a commonly valuable tool to assess asthma control that typically involves a self-reported questionnaire that evaluates symptoms over the past 4 weeks. It is self reported 5-25 scale. Higher score indicates better control. less than 16 indicates uncolntrolled asthma

  8 weeks

• Forced Expiratory Volume in one second (FEV1)

  FEV1 stands for Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second. It is a measurement taken during a spirometry test, which assesses lung function. Specifically, it measures the amount of air a person can forcefully exhale in the first second of a forced exhalation. A lower FEV1 reading can indicate an obstruction in the airways, potentially pointing to conditions like asthma. Normal values for % predicted FEV1 are generally 80% or higher of the predicted value. 60-80%moderate, \<60% severe.

  8 weeks

• Forced vital capacity (FVC)

  Forced vital capacity (FVC) is the maximum amount of air a person can exhale after taking the deepest possible breath. It's a key measurement in spirometry, a common breathing test used to assess lung function. FVC helps doctors identify and distinguish between different types of lung diseases, including obstructive (like asthma). FVC can also be expressed as a percentage of the predicted value, with 80% to 120% considered within the normal range

  8 weeks

• FEV1/FVC ratio

  The FEV1/FVC ratio is a calculation used in pulmonary function tests, specifically spirometry, to assess lung function. It represents the proportion of a person's forced vital capacity (FVC) that they can exhale in the first second of a forced expiration, known as forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1). A normal FEV1/FVC ratio is typically above 70% (0.75-0.80), and a lower ratio suggests an airway obstruction

  8 weeks

• Peak expiratory flow (% predicted)

  It refers to the percentage of a person's measured PEF compared to their predicted PEF, based on factors like age, sex, and height. It's a way to assess how well someone is breathing compared to what's expected for them, with lower percentages often indicating airflow obstruction such as asthma. PEF predicted % is calculated by dividing the actual PEF measurement by the predicted PEF and multiplying by 100. A lower PEF predicted % generally indicates a greater degree of airflow obstruction. For example, in asthma, a PEF predicted % below 50% may indicate a severe exacerbation.

  8 weeks

• Anxiety level by Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)

  It is a 14-item questionnaire that assesses anxiety and depression symptoms for all participants before and after the treatment program. It has two seven-item subscales, one for anxiety and one for depression. Each item is scored on a 4-point scale, with a maximum score of 21 for each subscale. Scores are categorized as normal (0-7), mild (8-10), moderate (11-14), and severe (15-21) for both anxiety and depression.

  8 weeks

Secondary Outcomes (3)

• Treatment Adherence Perception Questionnaire(TAPQ)

  8 weeks

• Functional capacity

  8 weeks

• Frequency of exacerbations (time/day)

  8 weeks

Study Arms (2)

Buteyko breathing exercise group

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

The participant will participate in Buteyko breathing only twice\\ week for 8 weeks and the session was about 10 min, with their optimal medical treatment,which depending on three steps: Step 1: The ''Control pause (CP)'' breathing test Step 2: Shallow breathing Sit up straight Step 3: Putting it together Take Control pause

Procedure: Buteyko Breathing

Virtual Reality group

EXPERIMENTAL

The participants will receive 20 min VR and Buteyko breathing along with prescribed medical treatment for 8 weeks , twice \\week. Training depends on two breathing training aspects with 5 breathing cycles for each one, 30 sec rest in between. in form of: Colour Breathing VR program (Box Breathing), LAMINAL VR (Calm).

Device: Virtual reality glass

Interventions

Virtual reality glass DEVICE

Virtual reality (VR), with its immersion and interactivity, offers the possibility to amplify the effectiveness of breathing techniques in promoting mental health by creation of relaxing scenarios and has been successfully employed in promoting relaxation and stress reduction. Virtual reality can turn breathing exercises into an interactive experience that feels more like a fun activity than a tedious task. It consists of VR headset, two touch controllers, glasses spacer with adjustable straps for good vision as follows: 1. Colour Breathing VR program (Box Breathing) : Patient sit in comfortable position with relaxed both shoulders. Breath in for 4 second, Hold breath for 4 sec, Breath out for 4 sec, Hold for 4 sec, Inhalations and exhalations move a 3D cloud shaped object closer and farther away from the user. 2. LAMINAL VR (Calm): Inhalations and exhalations grow and shrink a 2D circle with bubbles in between, changing in color.

Virtual Reality group

Buteyko Breathing PROCEDURE

1. The ''Control pause (CP)'' breathing test: Hold his nose on the "out" breath, with empty lungs but not too empty and count how many seconds that he can comfortably last before the need to breathe in again. 2. Shallow breathing Sit up straight: breathe air slightly into the tip of the nostrils. Concentrate on calming his breath to reduce the amount of warm air he feel on his finger, try to maintain the need for air for about 4 min. 3. Putting it together Take Control pause: Reduced breathing for 4 min. Wait 2 min and take Control pause. Reduced breathing for 4 min. Wait 2 min and take Control pause.

Buteyko breathing exercise group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 30 Years - 40 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64)

You may qualify if:

• Both sexes would be previously diagnosed as bronchial asthma with a cut-off score FEV1: Between 60% and 80% of predicted value or less than 60% of predicted value and FEV1/FVC ratio: May be significantly reduced from normal value 0.75-0.80.
• The age of the patients will be ranged between 30 and 40 years old.
• Asthma Control Test(ACT) will be less than 16 can be successfully used to identify those who will be uncontrolled asthma.
• All patients will be assessed by Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) ;A cut-off score of 11-15 a moderate depression/anxiety level.
• Patients who are conscious and cooperative.
• Patients who are able to understand and follow instruction.

You may not qualify if:

• Previous participation in any pulmonary rehabilitation program.
• Cardiovascular instabilities such as: Uncontrolled hypertension, Uncontrolled arrhythmia and Recent ischemic event.
• Mental disorders preventing protocol implementation.
• Other chronic respiratory diseases.
• Pregnant women.
• New or current smoker.
• Respiratory tract infection.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• October 6 University: lead

Study Sites (1)

October 6 university hospital outpatient chest department

Giza, Cairo Governorate, 12555, Egypt

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Esposito C, Autorino G, Iervolino A, Vozzella EA, Cerulo M, Esposito G, Coppola V, Carulli R, Cortese G, Gallo L, Escolino M. Efficacy of a Virtual Reality Program in Pediatric Surgery to Reduce Anxiety and Distress Symptoms in the Preoperative Phase: A Prospective Randomized Clinical Trial. J Laparoendosc Adv Surg Tech A. 2022 Feb;32(2):197-203. doi: 10.1089/lap.2021.0566. Epub 2021 Dec 28.

  PMID: 34962159 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Asthma

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Bronchial Diseases; Respiratory Tract Diseases; Lung Diseases, Obstructive; Lung Diseases; Respiratory Hypersensitivity; Hypersensitivity, Immediate; Hypersensitivity; Immune System Diseases

Study Officials

• Zahra M Serry, As Professor

  Cairo University

  STUDY CHAIR

• Donia M El Masry, Lecturer

  Cairo University

  STUDY DIRECTOR

• Karim A Fathy, Professor

  Faculty of Physical therapy October 6 University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

• Amira I Alam Eldin, As Professor

  Cairo University

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Central Study Contacts

Mai G Abdelrahman, AS Lecturer

CONTACT

+201092018685; mai.gomaa.pt@o6u.edu.eg

Donia M El Masry, Lecturer

CONTACT

+201005587119

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: DOUBLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Principal Investigator

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: July 22, 2025
• First Posted: August 26, 2025
• Study Start: August 30, 2025
• Primary Completion: December 1, 2025
• Study Completion: March 1, 2026
• Last Updated: August 26, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-08

Locations

EG (1)