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Completed

NCT Number: NCT06830772

Affective and Physiological Outcomes of Virtual and Mixed Reality Workplace Exergames

The aim of this study was to compare the acute effects of virtual reality (VR) and mixed reality (MR) based exergame practices on physical and psychological health indicators during micro-breaks among university administrative staff. The main research questions aimed to be answered are:

1. How does VR exergame and MR exergame affect physical health indicators such as heart rate and perceived exertion in university administrative staff? 2. How does MR exergame with VR exergame affect the mood of university administrative staff? 3. How does MR exergame with VR exergame affect the enjoyment of exercise and gaming experience of university administrative staff?

Researchers will compare passive rest with VR Exergame and MR exergame to see if VR and MR sessions improve physical and psychological outcomes compared to passive rest.

Participants will: Sit quietly in a designated room for 5 minutes without engaging in any physical activity. Avoid talking, using mobile devices, or interacting with others during the rest session to ensure consistent conditions for all participants.

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Key information

Conditions

Exergame Active Video Games (AVG) Mood Changes Virtual Reality

Age range

18 year and older

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Akdeniz University

Konyaalti, Antalya, 07070, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Using a randomized crossover design, participants will experience three different conditions: VR-based exergames, MR-based exergames, and passive rest. Each condition will be performed on separate days, with a minimum of 48 hours between sessions to prevent carryover effects.

The primary outcomes will include mood states, heart rate, and perceived exertion. These measures will help assess the immediate physical and psychological responses to the interventions.

The secondary outcomes will focus on exercise enjoyment and overall gaming experience, evaluating the subjective experience and engagement levels during VR and MR exergaming sessions.

The intervention will be delivered through PowerBeatsVR, a rhythm-based exergame that requires physical movements such as dodging obstacles and throwing punches. VR and MR modes will be compared to determine their effectiveness in promoting physical activity and improving mood during short breaks in a workplace setting. The passive rest condition will serve as a baseline for comparison.

This study addresses the growing interest in workplace wellness strategies by exploring the potential of VR and MR exergames in reducing sedentary behavior and enhancing mental well-being in work environments.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • 18 years and over
  • Being suitable for physical activity according to PAR-Q test
  • Not exercising for 30 minutes 3 days a week
  • Not having used VR/MR technologies before

Exclusion criteria

  • People with epilepsy, vertigo or neurological diseases
  • Use of antidepressants or similar medication
  • Individuals with high Physical Activity Level (IPAQ)

Treatment and study plan

Experimental

Other

Virtual Reality Exergame (VR) Participants will engage in a 5-minute fully immersive Virtual Reality (VR) exergame session using the PowerBeatsVR application. This intervention takes place in a virtual environment where participants perform rhythm-based physical activities such as punching targets and dodging obstacles. The VR session isolates participants from their real-world surroundings, offering a highly immersive experience designed to promote physical activity and assess its physiological and psychological effects.

Other names: Virtual Reality Exergame

Active comparator

Other

Mixed Reality Exergame (MR) Participants will engage in a 5-minute Mixed Reality (MR) exergame session using PowerBeatsVR in MR mode. Unlike VR, this intervention integrates virtual elements into the real-world environment, allowing participants to maintain awareness of their physical surroundings while interacting with digital content. This hybrid experience reduces the risk of cybersickness while providing a practical approach for workplace settings.

Other names: Mixed Reality Exergame

Primary outcomes

  1. Mood State

    Time frame: Baseline and immediately post-intervention (within 5 minutes after the session)

    Participants' mood states will be assessed before and after each session using the Brunel Mood Scale (BRUMS). The scale consists of 24 items and 6 subscales rated on a 5-point Likert scale (0 = Not at all, 4 = Extremely).

  2. Heart Rate

    Time frame: Baseline, during intervention, and immediately post-intervention (within 5 minutes after the session)

    Heart rate will be measured using a POLAR H20 heart rate monitor at baseline, during the session, and immediately post-intervention. Data will be recorded in real time through the Polar Flow application to assess physical activity intensity.

  3. Perceived Exertion

    Time frame: Baseline and immediately post-intervention (within 5 minutes after the session)

    Perceived exertion will be evaluated using the Borg Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) Scale (6-20) after each session. This scale measures subjective physical effort perception and is widely used for assessing exercise intensity.

Secondary outcomes

  1. Exercise Enjoyment

    Time frame: Immediately post-intervention (within 5 minutes after the session)

    Exercise enjoyment will be assessed using the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES). The short form of the scale consists of 5 items rated on a 7-point bipolar Likert scale. Higher scores indicate greater enjoyment of the physical activity experience.

  2. Game Experience (Dominance and Absorption)

    Time frame: Immediately post-intervention (within 5 minutes after the session)

    The gaming experience will be evaluated using the Gameful Experience Scale (GAMEX), focusing on the subscales of Dominance and Absorption. These subscales measure the participant's sense of control and engagement during the gaming session, with responses rated on a 5-point Likert scale.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Akdeniz University

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Acute Physiological and Psychological Responses to Virtual and Mixed Reality Exergaming During Workplace Breaks: An Exploratory Crossover Trial

Important dates

Study start
2025
Primary completion
2025
Study completion
2025
First posted
Feb 17, 2025
Registry last updated
Apr 25, 2025

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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