Immersive Group Dance in Virtual Reality for Perceived Social Cohesion in Older Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

NCT07850479 | Completed

• 2 other identifiers: CUPES-VRDANCE-1404IEC/CUPES/345KJB
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 180
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

This is a two-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial designed to evaluate the effects of an immersive virtual reality (VR)-based group dance program on perceived social cohesion among community-dwelling older adults, compared with a dose-matched conventional light physical activity program. A total of 180 eligible participants (men and women) will be randomized (1:1) to either the VR group dance condition or the control condition. Both interventions are delivered three times per week for five weeks (15 sessions total). The primary outcome is perceived social cohesion, measured using the Perceived Cohesion Scale (PCS) at baseline, post-intervention (week 5), and 30-day follow-up. Sex differences in response to the intervention will be examined as a secondary objective. This study has been approved by the Institutional Ethics Committee of Capital University of Physical Education and Sports (Approval No. IEC/CUPES/345KJB).

Conditions

Social Cognition; Healthy Aging; Loneliness; Social Isolation; Quality of Life; Sex Differences

Keywords

Virtual Reality; Group Dance; Perceived Social Cohesion; Older Women; Healthy Aging; Randomized Controlled Trial; Exergaming; Social Connectedness; Community-Dwelling Older Adults; Sex Differences; Older Adults; Men and Women

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Perceived Social Cohesion Score

  Perceived social cohesion is measured using the Perceived Cohesion Scale (PCS; Bollen \& Hoyle, 1990). The PCS includes 6 items assessing belonging and morale toward a specified group. Items are summed to yield a total score ranging from 6 to 42, with higher scores indicating stronger perceived cohesion. The PCS was translated into Chinese using forward translation, back-translation, reconciliation, and expert committee review consistent with Beaton et al. (2000).

  Baseline (pre-intervention), Post-Intervention (Week 5), and 30-Day Follow-Up (FU30)

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Internal Consistency of the Perceived Cohesion Scale

  Baseline (pre-intervention), Post-Intervention (Week 5), and 30-Day Follow-Up (FU30)

• Sex Differences in Perceived Social Cohesion Change

  Baseline (pre-intervention), Post-Intervention (Week 5), and 30-Day Follow-Up (FU30)

Study Arms (2)

VR Group Dance Intervention

EXPERIMENTAL

Participants complete a 5-week immersive group dance program delivered three times per week for a total of 15 sessions. Each session lasts approximately 20-30 minutes, including a brief warm-up, the main VR dance activity, and a cool-down. The intervention uses standalone Pico 4 Enterprise VR headsets with a commercially available rhythm-based dance application, presenting visually guided dance movements, rhythm cues, and real-time movement feedback in an immersive virtual environment. Sessions are conducted in small groups of approximately 6-8 participants, synchronized in timing so that participants perform the same dance routines together in the same physical room. Intensity is light-to-moderate and progresses gradually across the 5-week period. The group format is physically co-present and temporally synchronized, with social exchange before and after the VR activity.

Behavioral: Immersive VR Group Dance Program

Dose-Matched Conventional Physical Activity Control

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Participants complete a conventional activity program matched for frequency and duration (5 weeks; 3 sessions/week; 15 sessions). Sessions include low-intensity walking and gentle mobility exercises under supervision, consistent with routine center activities. Sessions are delivered in small groups comparable in size to the VR condition (approximately 6-8 participants per session), with equivalent instructor supervision and structured opportunities for social interaction before and after each session.

Behavioral: Conventional Light Physical Activity Program

Interventions

Immersive VR Group Dance Program BEHAVIORAL

A 5-week immersive VR-based group dance program delivered three times per week (15 sessions total). Each session lasts approximately 20-30 minutes and includes a brief warm-up, the main VR dance activity, and a cool-down. Delivered using standalone Pico 4 Enterprise VR headsets with a commercially available rhythm-based dance application, presenting visually guided dance movements, rhythm cues, and real-time movement feedback. Sessions are conducted in small groups of approximately 6-8 participants, synchronized in timing so that participants perform the same dance routines together in the same physical room. Intensity is light-to-moderate and progresses gradually across the 5-week period.

VR Group Dance Intervention

Conventional Light Physical Activity Program BEHAVIORAL

A 5-week conventional physical activity program delivered three times per week (15 sessions total), matched to the VR condition for frequency and duration. Sessions include low-intensity walking and gentle mobility exercises under supervision, consistent with routine center activities. Delivered in small groups of approximately 6-8 participants per session with equivalent instructor supervision and structured opportunities for social interaction before and after each session.

Dose-Matched Conventional Physical Activity Control

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 65 Years+
• Gender Eligibility Details: The study enrolls community-dwelling older adults, as the target population is older adults at elevated risk of reduced social networks and loneliness.
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Male or female, age 65 years or older, community-dwelling in Beijing.
• Able to participate safely in light-to-moderate physical activity (cleared by self-report screening and/or center physician policy).
• Able to follow verbal instructions and complete questionnaires.

You may not qualify if:

• Unstable cardiovascular, neurological, or musculoskeletal conditions contraindicating exercise participation.
• Severe cognitive impairment preventing informed consent or protocol adherence.
• Contraindications to immersive VR exposure, including history of seizures/epilepsy, severe vestibular disorders, or severe uncorrected visual impairment.
• Any medical or safety condition judged by the study physician to pose undue risk.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Islamic Azad University, Sanandaj: lead

Study Sites (1)

Community and Senior Activity Centers

Beijing, China

Location

Related Publications (1)

• Beaton DE, Bombardier C, Guillemin F, Ferraz MB. Guidelines for the process of cross-cultural adaptation of self-report measures. Spine (Phila Pa 1976). 2000 Dec 15;25(24):3186-91. doi: 10.1097/00007632-200012150-00014. No abstract available.

  PMID: 11124735 BACKGROUND

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Social Isolation; Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia Type 1

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Social Behavior; Behavior; Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia; Endocrine Gland Neoplasms; Neoplasms by Site; Neoplasms; Neoplasms, Multiple Primary; Neoplastic Syndromes, Hereditary; Genetic Diseases, Inborn; Congenital, Hereditary, and Neonatal Diseases and Abnormalities; Endocrine System Diseases

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
• Masking Details: Due to the nature of the intervention, participant blinding was not feasible. Outcome assessors and the statistician were blinded to group allocation.
• Purpose: PREVENTION
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assistant Professor

Model Details: Two-arm, parallel-group randomized controlled trial. Participants are randomized 1:1 to either an immersive VR-based group dance intervention or a dose-matched conventional physical activity control program. Both arms run concurrently for 5 weeks (3 sessions/week, 15 sessions total), with assessments at baseline, post-intervention (week 5), and 30-day follow-up.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: September 24, 2026
• First Posted: September 30, 2026
• Study Start: November 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: December 15, 2025
• Study Completion: June 15, 2026
• Last Updated: September 30, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-09

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

CN (1)