Virtual Reality Exergaming on Heart Rate, Perceived Exertion, and Technology Acceptance in Healthy Individuals

Healthy Clinical Trial

Official title:

The Immediate Impact of Virtual Reality Exergaming on Heart Rate, Rate of Perceived Exertion, and Technology Acceptance in Healthy Individuals: A Pre-Post Pilot Cohort Study

Clinical Trial Details — Status: Completed

Administrative data

• NCT number: NCT06411119
• Other study ID #: 11014
• Status: Completed
• Phase: N/A
• Start date: January 1, 2023
• Est. completion date: January 31, 2023

Study information

• Verified date: May 2024
• Source: Teesside University
• Contact: n/a
• Is FDA regulated: No
• Study type: Interventional

Clinical Trial Summary

This pilot cohort study aimed to investigate the immediate impact of Virtual Reality (VR) exergaming on heart rate (HR), rate of perceived exertion (RPE), and technology acceptance using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) in healthy adults. Participants engaged in a 20-minute session of VR exergaming using the Meta Oculus Quest 2™ headset. HR and RPE were measured at baseline, during, and after the intervention, while technology acceptance was assessed pre- and post-intervention using the UTAUT questionnaire.

The results showed that VR exergaming increased HR while maintaining perceived exertion at low to moderate levels. Technology acceptance also improved significantly across all domains measured by UTAUT, with particularly notable increases in Performance Expectancy and Effort Expectancy. The findings suggest that VR exergaming is an effective method to enhance physical activity, motivation, and engagement, providing promising support for its use as a rehabilitation tool for individuals struggling with adherence and motivation.

Description:

Physical rehabilitation traditionally relies on face-to-face clinical sessions and home-based exercise programmes, yet adherence rates remain suboptimal, ranging between 30% and 50%. Adherence is crucial for effective outcomes, but is often undermined by low motivation and engagement. Sedentary lifestyles, which account for 5.3 million global deaths annually, exacerbate these challenges. VR exergaming has emerged as an innovative intervention, offering immersive environments that engage participants in physical movements, potentially enhancing adherence. Despite its growing popularity, there is limited empirical evidence evaluating the immediate physiological and psychological impacts of VR exergaming. This pilot cohort study aims to investigate its immediate effects on heart rate, perceived exertion, and technology acceptance, providing data that could inform future rehabilitation approaches, through a prospective pilot pre- and post-cohort design within a university research laboratory setting.

Participants engaged in a 20-minute session of the VR game Beat Saber, played on the Meta Oculus Quest 2™ headset. Gameplay required dynamic movements, including lateral side steps and squats, designed to elicit moderate-intensity exercise while maximising engagement. This immersive environment aimed to enhance adherence by making the exercise experience enjoyable while reducing perceived fatigue.

Outcome Measures and Data Collection:

Primary outcomes included HR, RPE, and technology acceptance, assessed using the UTAUT questionnaire administered before and after the VR session. HR was continuously recorded with a Polar monitor, and RPE was reported using the CR-10 Borg scale. The UTAUT questionnaire, adapted for VR specificity, evaluated key aspects of technology acceptance such as performance expectancy and effort expectancy, offering insight into the psychological effects of VR exergaming.

Statistical analyses were conducted using both frequentist and Bayesian approaches. This dual analysis provided comprehensive insights into the intervention's impact, yielding p-values and Bayes factors that contextualised statistical and practical significance. Bayesian analysis was particularly valuable in quantifying the intervention's efficacy relative to baseline measures, offering nuanced conclusions about the likelihood of its impact.

Recruitment information / eligibility

• Status: Completed
• Enrollment: 9
• Est. completion date: January 31, 2023
• Est. primary completion date: January 31, 2023
• Accepts healthy volunteers: Accepts Healthy Volunteers
• Gender: All
• Age group: 18 Years to 65 Years

Eligibility

Inclusion Criteria:

• male or female participants

• University student or staff

• age 18-65

• able to read and comprehend written and spoken English

Exclusion Criteria:

• any musculoskeletal injury within the last six months

• recent operation,

• long term health conditions that affect ability to engage in exercise

• claustrophobia

• vertigo and motion sickness

• experiencing covid-19 symptoms

Related Conditions & MeSH terms

• Exergame
• Healthy
• Physical Activity
• Virtual Reality

Intervention

Device:
• Meta Oculus Quest 2™ Virtual Reality Exergaming
Participants utilised the Meta Oculus Quest 2™ Virtual Reality headset to play the Beat Saber game, which involves striking blocks in time to music using hand controllers. Gameplay was configured at a moderate difficulty level in 'no-fail' mode to encourage continuous activity across pre-selected songs, requiring participants to perform movements such as lateral steps, squats, and arm motions. Each session lasted for 20 minutes, including 30-second rest intervals between songs, to maximise physical activity and monitor heart rate, perceived exertion, and technology acceptance.

Locations

Country	Name	City	State
United Kingdom	Teesside University	Middlesbrough

Sponsors (1)

Lead Sponsor	Collaborator
Teesside University

Country where clinical trial is conducted

United Kingdom, 

Outcome

Type	Measure	Description	Time frame	Safety issue
Primary	Rate of Perceived Exertion (RPE)	RPE was assessed using the CR-10 Borg Scale, which measures perceived exertion on a standardised 1-10 scale. This metric was used to determine participants' perceived physical exertion levels, where higher scores are an indication of greater exertion.	Baseline (before the VR exergaming session), during each song in the 20-minute intervention, and immediately post-intervention.
Primary	Heart Rate (HR)	HR was measured with the Polar RS400 monitor to evaluate cardiovascular response. HR was recorded at baseline, throughout the 20-minute Virtual Reality exergaming session, and immediately post-intervention.	Baseline (before the VR exergaming session), continuously during the 20-minute session, and immediately post-intervention.
Primary	Technology Acceptance	Technology acceptance was measured using the Unified Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) questionnaire. The UTAUT questionnaire contains 22 items and evaluates six constructs: Performance Expectancy, Effort Expectancy, Social Influence, Facilitating Conditions, Self-Efficacy, and Behavioural Intention. Each question is measured using a 7-point Likert scale, from 1 (strongly disagree) to 7 (strongly agree). Higher scores indicate a better outcome, reflecting greater acceptance and intention to use the technology.	Before the VR exergaming session and immediately post-intervention.