Immersive Virtual Reality vs Treadmill Exercise Project

NCT07213388 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: PRO-2023-123
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 61
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The purpose of this research project is to examine the feasibility and acceptability of a virtual reality-based physical activity (VRPA) intervention for inactive adults compared to more traditional forms of physical activity. The project will explore the relationship between VRPA engagement and cognition, biological measures (calories burned, heart rate, and active minutes), rate of perceived exertion, flow, affect, and enjoyment in physical activity as well.

Conditions

Control; Virtual Reality Physical Activity; Treadmill

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

• Pace of participant recruitment

  enrollment rate of 6 participants per month

  Up to 24 months

• Number of participants willing to continue using the assigned exercie modality

  Willingness to continue using the exercise modality to which the participants were assigned and self-report enjoyment from engaging in the assigned exercise.

  Day 1

• Percentage of participants who complete the required tasks in each condition

  Are participants able to complete the required tasks

  Day 1

Secondary Outcomes (9)

• Changes in Heart Rate

  Day 1

• Self-reported measures of "flow" associated with the assigned conditions

  Day 1

• Changes in affect

  Day 1

• Rate of percieved exertion

  Day 1

• Changes in Stroop Color and Word Test

  Day 1

Study Arms (3)

Control

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants will sit quietly while listening to the same music playlist that is played during the VRPA condition.

Behavioral: Control

Treadmill

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will walk on a treadmill while listening to the same playlist that is played during the VRPA condition.

Behavioral: Treadmill

Virtual Reality Physical Activity (VRPA)

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants will wear the VR headset and complete one pre-selected exercise session.

Behavioral: VRPA

Interventions

VRPA BEHAVIORAL

Effects of virtual reality physical activity on outcomes

Virtual Reality Physical Activity (VRPA)

Treadmill BEHAVIORAL

Effects of treadmill walking with music on outcomes

Treadmill

Control BEHAVIORAL

Effects of music while sitting on outcomes

Control

Eligibility Criteria

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

You may qualify if:

• Be inactive (i.e., do not meet physical activity guidelines)
• have no current neurological, psychiatric, sensory, or motor impairment, and normal or corrected-to-normal vision (only thin wire glasses or contacts can be used)
• have no history of motion sickness
• have the ability to exercise based on the Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire for Everyone (PAR-Q+) (Warburton et al., 2019)
• Have not fallen to the point of injury in the last 6 months.
• Be willing to wear an activity tracker
• years,

You may not qualify if:

• Struggle to use operate a VR headset
• Cannot read
• Have concerns about balance/falling while using a VR headset,
• Unable to provide informed consent

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Rowan University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Rowan University

Glassboro, New Jersey, 08028, United States

Location

MeSH Terms

Interventions

Exercise Test

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Heart Function Tests; Diagnostic Techniques, Cardiovascular; Diagnostic Techniques and Procedures; Diagnosis; Respiratory Function Tests; Diagnostic Techniques, Respiratory System; Ergometry; Investigative Techniques

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Masking Details: Participants are not told their group assignment until after completing the pre-session assessments.
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: FACTORIAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Professor

Model Details: Three group, randomized trial

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: February 19, 2025
• First Posted: October 8, 2025
• Study Start: September 1, 2024
• Primary Completion: October 22, 2025
• Study Completion: October 22, 2025
• Last Updated: January 16, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share
• Shared Documents: STUDY PROTOCOL, SAP, ICF
• Time Frame: September 2026 until August 2036
• Access Criteria: Researchers will be able to access the data upon request. The PI will securely share the requested IPD.

Locations

US (1)