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Purpose

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.

Condition

Eligibility

Eligible Ages
Between 13 Years and 19 Years
Eligible Genders
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers
Yes

Inclusion Criteria

  • self-reported mobility disability (e.g., use of a mobility device or presence of a mobility impairment) - access to a Wi-Fi internet connection in the home - a caregiver to support the child if <18 years of age - a Facebook account to link to the virtual reality head-mounted display

Exclusion Criteria

  • physically active (defined as >150 minutes/week of moderate-to-vigorous intensity exercise) - cannot use the arms for exercise or operate the controller buttons using their fingers - prone to seizures - complete blindness or deafness - unable to communicate verbally in English

Study Design

Phase
Phase 1
Study Type
Interventional
Allocation
N/A
Intervention Model
Single Group Assignment
Intervention Model Description
Single group pre-to-post design trial that will last 1-year and include 2 waves (n=6 per wave)
Primary Purpose
Treatment
Masking
None (Open Label)

Arm Groups

ArmDescriptionAssigned Intervention
Experimental
Group-active virtual reality gaming 		Participants will undergo the intervention.
  • 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

More Details

Status
Completed
Sponsor
University of Alabama at Birmingham

Study Contact

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.

Notice

Study information shown on this site is derived from ClinicalTrials.gov (a public registry operated by the National Institutes of Health). The listing of studies provided is not certain to be all studies for which you might be eligible. Furthermore, study eligibility requirements can be difficult to understand and may change over time, so it is wise to speak with your medical care provider and individual research study teams when making decisions related to participation.