Virtual Reality in Patients With Pulmonary Hypertension: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Virtual Reality Group: Patients assigned to Group 2 are involved in supervised exercise sessions 3 times a week during 8 weeks. Exercise sessions includes aerobic and strengthed exercises delivered via virtual reality

Study summary

The goal of this research is to investigate the effectiveness of exercise administered via immersive virtual reality in patients with pulmonary hypertension, thereby contributing to the existing literature on this subject. The main question is whether exercises delivered via immersive virtual reality are effective to improve physical performance, functional capacity, dyspnea, muscle strength, fatigue, quality of life, depression and anxiety.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Muscle Strength — at the beginning of the study and at the end of 8 week,
  Lower and upper extremity strength: Measurement is performed by having the person being tested exert maximum effort against the device during the measurement, and the person conducting the test respond with maximum force in the opposite direction to prevent movement. The tests are repeated three times, and the average of the values is recorded in Newtons (N).
• Hand Grip Strength — at the beginning of the study and at the end of 8 weeks
  The tests will be repeated three times, and the average of the values will be recorded in kilograms of force (kgF).
• Functional capacity of lower extremity — at the beginning of the study and at the end of 8 weeks
  Six Minute Walking Test: Participants will be asked to walk as fast as possible at their own pace for 6 minutes on a 30-meter course. The distance walked by the patient will be recorded in meters.
• Functional capacity of upper extremity — at the beginning of the study and at the end of 8 weeks
  Six Minute Pegboard and Ring Test: A wooden platform with bars will be used during the test. Two bars will be placed at shoulder level and the other two 20 cm above shoulder level. Ten rings, each weighing 14 grams, will be placed on the lower bars: ten on the right and ten on the left, for a total of 20 rings. Patients will be asked to place as many rings as possible from the lower bars to the upper bars and then back to the lower bars using both hands for 6 minutes. At the end of this time, the number of rings moved will be recorded as the the total score, and the resting time will be recorded in seconds.
• Physical performance — at the beginning of the study and at the end of 8 weeks
  Short Physical Performance Battery: The test consists of 3 tests: walking 4 meters, standing up from a chair, and standing balance test. Each test is scored between 0-4. The scores obtained by the participants, ranging from 1-4, indicate the progressive performance required to complete the test according to the specified times. Walking test: Participants will be asked to walk 4 meters in a pre-marked corridor, and the time will be recorded and scored. The use of walking aids will be permitted, and saturation monitoring will be performed. Standing up from a chair test: Participants will be asked to stand up once from a seated position with their arms crossed over their chest. Patients who can do this will be asked to stand up and sit down five times as quickly as possible, and the time will be recorded. Standing balance test: 3 positions will be used; feet side-by-side and together, tandem, and half-tandem.

Trial sites (1)

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