NCT06367439

Examining the Effects of Virtual Reality Exercise on Mental Health

Examining the Effects of Virtual Reality Exercise on Mental Health Outcomes: A Randomized Controlled Trial

• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 154 (actual)
• Sponsor: University of Victoria · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 19 Years – 64 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The primary purpose of this investigation is to examine the efficacy of virtual reality (VR) exercise (Supernatural exergaming via Meta Platforms Technologies, LLC) for improving well-being (i.e., vitality) over a 10-week period. The secondary purpose is to examine the efficacy of VR exercise for improving depression mood symptoms, anxiety mood symptoms, and perceived cognitive functioning over a 10-week period, as well as short-term mood (post-exercise) and affective experiences during exercise. The tertiarty purpose of this study is to examine the efficacy of VR exercise for improving both physical activity behaviour and physical activity motivation (attitudes, capability, opportunity, intentions, behavioural regulation, habit, identity) over a 10-week period. Another tertiary purpose is to examine whether key motivational variables (e.g., attitudes, capability, opportunity, intentions, behavioural regulation, habit, identity) regarding Supernatural use explain variability in Supernatural use over time.

Conditions

• Mental Health
• Mood
• Well-Being, Psychological
• Physical Activity

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	Virtual reality exercise condition	Participants will complete a virtual reality exercise (i.e., Supernatural) tutorial (YouTube instruction and in-headset gameplay instruction/practice) and will complete a 18-20 minute affect measurement medium intensity virtual reality exercise (i.e., Supernatural) session in the Behavioural Medicine Lab (UVic).
BEHAVIORAL	Virtual reality exercise condition	Participants will be provided a virtual reality headset (Meta Quest 3 Headset) and subscription to a virtual reality exercise game (i.e., Supernatural) for 10 weeks. Participants will be instructed to participate in 75 minutes of medium intensity Supernatural physical activity (equivalent to 75 minutes of vigorous physical activity) per week in their own home.

Timeline

• Start date: 2024-03-19
• Primary completion: 2025-06-02
• Completion: 2025-07-11
• First posted: 2024-04-16
• Last updated: 2025-08-11

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Canada