NCT05259462

Group-Based Online Virtual Reality Gaming to Improve Mental Health Among Children With Physical Disabilities

Improving Social Isolation and Loneliness Among Children With Physical Disabilities Through Group-Based Online Virtual Reality Gaming

• Status: Completed
• Phase: Phase 1
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 12 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Alabama at Birmingham · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 13 Years – 19 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

COVID-19 has had a negative impact on the mental health of many children with physical disabilities. This project aims to test the potential effects of an online multiplayer virtual reality group-based, active video game program on social isolation and depression and will include a total of 12 children with physical disabilities.

Detailed description

This pilot feasibility study will investigate the potential effects of a revised multiplayer virtual reality exergaming program on depression, socialization, and loneliness among children with physical disabilities. This proposed study will use both quantitative and qualitative research methods, to gain a deep understanding of program benefits and implementation procedures that can be refined for a large clinical trial. The active video game program will last 1-month and include 2 supervised 1-hour sessions per week of group-based gaming. Game sessions will be supervised by 2 research staff who will act as gaming and mindfulness coaches. Outcomes will be measured by self-report questionnaires before and after the program. The program will be completed in two waves (6 people per wave). After the program, participants will undergo a one-on-one semi-structured interview, where they can describe their perceptions of the program.

Conditions

• Disability Physical

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Intervention	Participants will utilize low-cost, consumer available head-mounted displays to meet with peers and coaches online. The program will last 4 weeks and include 2 x 1-hour sessions per week of supervised peer-to-peer gaming. The coaches will utilize behavioral change and mindfulness techniques to promote autonomy, competence, and relatedness through a respectful, cohesive, and positive atmosphere. These strategies will be framed by the Self-Determination Theory and learned from the National Center on Health, Physical Activity, and Disability (NCHPAD) mindfulness coaching workshops. Some of the mindfulness-based strategies will include guided breathing focused exercises, body scanning, meditation, and acceptance of social anxiety and shyness

Timeline

• Start date: 2022-06-01
• Primary completion: 2023-01-04
• Completion: 2023-03-01
• First posted: 2022-02-28
• Last updated: 2023-03-02

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United States