Virtual Reality Gaming for Exercise and Mindfulness Among Pediatric Cancer Rehabilitation

Purpose

This study will explore the potential benefits of a virtual reality gaming program that focuses on mindfulness and exercise among pediatric cancer rehabilitation patients. The program will last 8 weeks outside of the hospital. Participants will start immediately in the hospital (immediate start group) or wait 8 weeks after hospital discharge to start the program (waitlist control group).

Condition

  • Pediatric Cancer

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Over 8 Years
Eligible Genders
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
No

Inclusion Criteria

  • >7 years of age - medical diagnosis of malignancy or non-malignant condition requiring hematopoietic stem cell transplant - a caregiver who can assist the child with the study procedures

Exclusion Criteria

  • complete blindness or deafness - inability to operate the hand-held controllers - susceptible to motion sickness in virtual reality - inability to communicate in English

Study Design

Phase
Phase 1
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
Randomized
Intervention Model
Crossover Assignment
Intervention Model Description
There will be 2 parallel groups, immediate start group and waitlist control group. Once control participants finish the wait period (8 weeks), they will start the intervention (8 weeks). Participants in the immediate start group will start exercise and mindfulness in the hospital and continue the program for 8 weeks outside of the hospital.
Primary Purpose
Treatment
Masking
None (Open Label)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Experimental
Immediate Start 		Program starts in the hospital and lasts for 8 weeks after hospital discharge.
  • Behavioral: Immediate Start - Virtual Reality
    Participants will use a Meta Quest virtual reality headset and play video games for exercise and mindfulness. They will start using the headsets in the hospital and then will continue to do so for 8 weeks after hospital discharge.
Active Comparator
Waitlist Control 		After 8 weeks after hospital discharge, these participants start the 8 week intervention.
  • Behavioral: Delayed Start - Virtual Reality
    Participants will receive usual care in the hospital and outside of the hospital for 8 weeks. After the 8 week post-discharge period, participants will use a Meta Quest virtual reality headset and play video games for exercise and mindfulness for an 8 week period.

Recruiting Locations

Children's Hospital of Alabama
Birmingham, Alabama 35233
Contact:
Byron Lai, PhD
205-200-1724
byronlai@uab.edu

More Details

Status
Recruiting
Sponsor
University of Alabama at Birmingham

Study Contact

Byron Lai, PhD
205.638.9790
blai@uabmc.edu