Health TrialsbyHealthPanel

Assessing the Acute Effects of Virtual Reality Interventions on Stress

ConditionSlow Breathing
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phaseNot applicable
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18-35
SponsorProf. Dominique de Quervain, MD

About this trial

A Four-Arm RCT, testing the acute effects of a Virtual Reality (VR)- based slow-paced breathing intervention on subjective and physiological markers of stress. The investigator hypothesize that combining slow breathing with immersive, mystical-type VR elements will result in the greatest stress reduction.

Eligibility criteria

This trial accepts healthy volunteers

Qualifiers

> 60 points on the PSQ-30 out of a maximum 120-point scale in the screening

Healthy

Aged between 18-35

Fluent in German

Disqualifiers

A current diagnosis of psychiatric disorders (self-reported)

Chronic medication use (except oral contraceptives)

Parallel participation in another medical or psychological study

Suicidal tendencies (PHQ-9 item 9 > 0)3

Trial design

Design model

Parallel

Treatments tested in this trial

  • VR (VR-Breathing+Mystical)

    Device

    The VR-based slow-paced breathing application is designed to provide rewarding biofeedback for a specific breathing pattern characterized by prolonged exhales. As users extend their exhales, a veil of fog gradually lifts, introducing a mystical type experience. Over time, users are rewarded with a full 360-degree panoramic view of the beautiful nature scene, accompanied by relaxing music. After approximately 5 minutes of prolonged exhales, the nature scene responds to the user's breathing by slowing down, with falling snowflakes moving more slowly, further enhancing the mystical atmosphere. This intervention was designed to be visually captivating, mystically evocative, and emotionally engaging. Duration: 10 minutes.

  • VR (VR-Mystical)

    Device

    Users will experience the gradual unveiling of a beautiful natural landscape as the fog lifts, and eventually, the scene slows down similar to the VR Breathing+Mystical condition. However, this application does not provide any biofeedback or breathing instructions. Users are invited to passively observe the unfolding experience, immersing themselves in the environment for 10 minutes. Relaxing music accompanies the scene. This condition relies solely on the immersive and aesthetic qualities of the virtual environment to potentially induce relaxation.

  • Computer (Non-VR-Breathing)

    Device

    In this conventional breathing intervention, participants will be instructed to follow a slow-paced breathing pattern guided by a simple visual cue (an expanding and contracting circle) displayed on a computer screen for 10 minutes. This condition is designed to guide slow-paced breathing without incorporating any rewarding elements.

  • VR (VR-Control)

    Drug

    In the control condition, participants will watch a neutral documentary for 10 minutes in VR. This condition is used to control for the effects of the immersive VR experience. It does not include any components related to guided breathing or mystical-type content, or any form of rewarding elements.

Treatment groups

120 Participants
are divided into 4 treatment groups
Group A: VR-Breathing+MysticalExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group B: VR-MysticalExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group C: Non-VR-BreathingExperimental treatment 1 intervention
Group D: VR-ControlSham comparator 1 intervention

Trial outcomes

Primary outcomes

1

Subjective stress

Subjective stress measured using visual analogue scales (VAS) on a computer

Time frame
Assessed before and after the 10-minute interventions.

Secondary outcomes

1

Mood

Mood measured using visual analogue scales (VAS) on a computer.

Time frame
Assessed before and after the 10-minute interventions.
2

Anxiety

Anxiety measured using visual analogue scales (VAS) on a computer.

Time frame
Assessed before and after the 10-minute interventions.
3

Relaxation

Relaxation measured using visual analogue scales (VAS) on a computer.

Time frame
Assessed before and after the 10-minute interventions.
4

Electrodermal Activity

Physiological responses measured via Electrodermal Activity.

Time frame
Assessed during the 10-minute interventions.

Other outcomes

Sponsors and contacts

Click on the lead sponsor to view all of their trials.

Prof. Dominique de Quervain, MD

Lead sponsor

University of Basel

Sponsor institution

Source ClinicalTrials.gov
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