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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07770880

Impact of Repeated Virtual Reality Training on Markers of Stress

The purpose of this study is to examine whether repeated exposure to an active shooter or target practice virtual reality (VR) scenario alters physiological and psychological stress responses over time. Specifically, this study will determine whether the pattern and magnitude of stress habituation differ between the two VR conditions.

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Key information

Conditions

Stress Active Shooter Acute Stress Reaction Law Enforcement Training Mental Disorders Stress Disorders, Traumatic Stress Disorders, Traumatic, Acute Trauma and Stressor Related Disorders Virtual Reality

Age range

18 year–39 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Texas State University

San Marcos, Texas, 78666, United States

About this study

This study examines the effects of repeated virtual reality (VR) exposure on physiological and psychological stress responses by comparing an active shooter scenario with a target practice scenario. Repeated exposure to a stressor may result in changes in physiological and psychological responses over time, a process known as stress habituation. Therefore, the goal of this study is to determine whether repeated exposure to these two VR scenarios results in different patterns of stress habituation. Heart rate, salivary stress biomarkers, and self-reported anxiety will be assessed across repeated VR exposures to evaluate changes in stress responses over time. The findings from this research may provide insight into how stress responses change with repeated exposure to different types of VR scenarios and may inform the development of training approaches for individuals in high-stress occupations.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Generally healthy
  • Between the ages of 18-39
  • Student at texas state

Exclusion criteria

  • No known cardiovascular or metabolic diseases
  • Free from a major stressor in the last 30 days (recent divorce, birth of child, miscarriage, etc.)
  • Not currently taking medication that can impact results (e.g., psychiatric medication typically prescribed for psychological disorders such as depression, anxiety, etc.)
  • Must also be free from any known psychiatric or physical illness (e.g., diabetes, myocardial infarction, stroke, Alzheimer's disease, alcoholism, epilepsy, severe motion sickness, etc.).

Treatment and study plan

Active Shooter

Other

Participants experienced a virtual reality simulation lasting ~3 minutes. Participants took on the roll of a law enforcement officer responding to an active shooter situation in a gas station (trial 1), home (trial 2), and school (trial 3).

Target Practice

Other

Participants experienced a virtual reality simulation lasting ~3 minutes. Participants had two trials of target practice training and one trial of an active shooter scenario where they responded as a law enforcement officer in a school.

Primary outcomes

  1. State Anxiety Inventory (SAI)

    Time frame: Timepoint 1-4 were 20 minutes pre, immediately pre, immediately post, and 15 minutes post

    The SAI is a 6 question survey on a 24 point scale, asking the subject to record how they feel. Questions asked were "I am calm," I am tense," "I am worried," "I am relaxed," etc. Subjects were asked to fill this out 4 times throughout the study, alongside HR and saliva samples.

  2. Heart Rate

    Time frame: HR was recorded 4 times, before each saliva sample period

    Heart rate was recorded immediately prior to each saliva sample using a Polar Verity Sense heart rate wrist/arm strap.

  3. Secretory Immunoglobulin-A

    Time frame: Measured using the saliva samples taken at timepoints 1-4 (20 min pre, immediately pre, immediately post, 15 min post)

    SIgA is a marker of immune function and salivary SIgA concentrations tend to increase when exposed to stress

  4. Salivary Alpha Amylase

    Time frame: Measured using the saliva samples taken at timepoints 1-4 (20 min pre, immediately pre, immediately post, 15 min post)

    sAA is an enzyme involved in digestive processes. Amylase concentrations in saliva have been shown to reflect sympathetic stress. Thus, as sympathetic stress increases, salivary amylase concentrations tend to increase.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Texas State University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Impact of Repeated Virtual Reality Based Law Enforcement Training on Stress Reactivity and Tactical Decision Making

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2026
Study completion
2026
First posted
Aug 18, 2026
Registry last updated
Aug 18, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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