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NCT Number: NCT05973461

Effects of Exercise and Virtual Reality on Depression

This study is evaluating the effects of riding on a cycle ergometer while experiencing virtual reality to determine its effect on mood.

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Key information

Conditions

Symptoms of Depression Behavior Behavioral Symptoms Depression

Age range

18 year–65 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

About this study

Adults (males and females) above the age of 18 yrs will be recruited to determine if they have symptoms of depression based on a questionnaire (Center for Epidemiologic Studies - Depression Scale (CES-D). They will then complete a Beck Inventory before and after the exercise. Participants will be divided into groups either having symptoms of depression or not. They will be randomized to ride on a cycle ergometer with or without using Virtual Reality (VR) that will allow them to view neighborhoods or parks during the exercise. The ergometer will be set at resistance raising the heart rate to 65% of their age-predicted heart rate maximum. They will ride for 20 min and then complete the Beck Inventory to determine any changes in their depressive symptoms.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

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

Inclusion criteria

  • Males and females over the age of 18 years
  • With or without symptoms of depression
  • Physically inactive or sedentary (less than 30 minutes per day)
  • Normal vision and no color blindness
  • No physical disorders such as walking with assistance

Exclusion criteria

  • Below the age of 18 years or over 65 years,
  • Women who are pregnant
  • Individuals who have been diagnosed with mental disorders
  • Individuals with leg injuries
  • Individuals with cardiac problems
  • Individuals with a history of asthma
  • Individuals with a body mass index over 30.

Treatment and study plan

Exercise and virtual reality

Device

Riding a cycle ergometer while experiencing virtual reality

Riding a cycle ergometer

Other

Riding on a cycle ergometer without experiencing virtual reality

Primary outcomes

  1. Beck Depression Inventory Scale of Measurement

    Time frame: 5 minutes

    Assessment of symptoms of depression pre and post-intervention cycle exercise. The Beck Depression Inventory is a 21-item, multiple-choice, self-report survey that measures characteristic attitudes and symptoms of depression. The score range is 0-63. The higher the score the more severe the depression. Scores above 41 are considered "extreme depression."

  2. Spatial Working Memory (SWM)

    Time frame: 8 minutes

    A measure of the key aspects of working memory and storage of information over short periods of time.

  3. Neuropsychological Outcomes: Motor Screen Tasks (MOT)

    Time frame: 3 minutes

    MOT provides a general indication that psychomotor function is intact enough to proceed with more sophisticated cognitive testing:

Secondary outcomes

  1. Neuropsychological Outcomes: MOT Mean Latency, MOT Total Correct, and MOT Total Errors

    Time frame: 10 minutes

    This test is a general assessment of whether there are sensorimotor deficits or lack of comprehension. Outcome is measured by reaction time in milliseconds of the participant reaching out and touching the "X" correctly (in the middle of the X) on the tablet in response to the stimulus. The maximum score is 6000 milliseconds. The number of total correct touches and total errors in not touching correctly out of 10 are recorded. Ex: MOT mean latency = 927.9 ml +/- 131.43 ms; MOT Total Correct = 10; MOT Total Errors = 0.

Study contacts

Contact information is provided by the study sponsor or research team.

Judy R Wilson, PH.D.

CONTACT

[email protected]

817-272-3128

Xiangli Gu, Ph.D.

CONTACT

[email protected]

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

The University of Texas at Arlington

Other

Registry information

Official study title

Effects of Exercise With Virtual Reality on Females and Males With or Without Depression

Important dates

Study start
2022
Primary completion
2027
Study completion
2027
First posted
Aug 2, 2023
Registry last updated
May 29, 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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