Interactive Nature-Based Virtual Reality to Reduce Anxiety, Low Mood, and Feelings of Helplessness in Hospitalized Older Adults With Chronic Illness (Zenctuary VR+)

Sponsor
Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design
Study ID
NCT07712549
Status
Not Yet Recruiting

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Conditions

  • Chronic Disease
  • Learned Helplessness
  • Psychological Distress

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
60 Years - N/A
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • Interactive nature-based virtual reality intervention — DEVICE
    An immersive, head-mounted-display-delivered virtual reality intervention presenting nature-based virtual environments with interactive, low cognitive load tasks. Participants make simple choices, navigate between virtual locations, and influence elements of the environment while seated, with the goal of supporting agency, perceived control, and successful action. Delivered in six sessions over three weeks (twice weekly), each guided by a trained operator using a standardized least-assistance approach.
  • Passive nature-based virtual reality exposure — DEVICE
    An immersive, head-mounted-display-delivered virtual reality experience presenting the same nature-based virtual environments as the active intervention, without interactive elements. Participants passively observe the virtual scenery while seated, with no opportunity for choice, navigation, or environmental interaction. Delivered in six sessions over three weeks (twice weekly), matching the active intervention in schedule, apparatus, and visual content, differing only in the absence of interactivity.

Study Details

Prolonged hospitalization can reduce opportunities for independent activity, choice, and control and may contribute to passivity, low mood, anxiety, and distress in some older adults. Zenctuary VR+ is a seated, nature-based virtual reality program that combines calming environments with simple, low-demand activities. The active program allows participants to make choices, move between predefined locations, and influence elements of the virtual environment. Trained staff supervise every session and provide support when needed. The trial evaluates whether the interactive version of Zenctuary VR+ reduces psychological distress more than passive exposure to the same virtual environments. A total of 100 hospitalized adults aged 60 years or older will be randomly assigned to the interactive VR condition or the passive VR condition. Eligible participants are expected to remain hospitalized for at least four weeks following enrolment. Both groups will receive six sessions over three weeks. Psychological distress and related psychological factors will be assessed before the first session, immediately after the three-week intervention period, and four weeks after the final session.

Key Dates

First listed
Jul 17, 2026
Start date
Nov 1, 2026
Status verified
Jul 2026
Primary completion
Dec 31, 2027
Completion
Mar 31, 2028

Study Design

Enrollment
100 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
SUPPORTIVE_CARE

Arms

  • Experimental: Active Zenctuary VR+ Intervention
    Participants receive six sessions of the interactive, nature-based Zenctuary VR+ program over three weeks (twice weekly), delivered via head-mounted display (Meta Quest 3). The intervention includes low cognitive load interactive tasks (simple choices, navigation between virtual locations, and environmental interaction) designed to support agency, perceived control, and successful action while participants remain seated and supported by trained personnel.
  • Active Comparator: Passive VR Control
    Participants are exposed to the same nature-based virtual environments and head-mounted display (Meta Quest 3) as the active arm, following the same six-session, three-week schedule, but without interactive elements. Participants passively observe the virtual scenery, controlling for VR exposure and nature content while isolating the added effect of interactivity and agency-supporting features.

Primary Outcome Measure

Change From Baseline in Psychological Distress as Measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale Total Score [ Time Frame: Baseline; immediately after completion of the three-week intervention period; and four weeks after the final intervention session ]

Central Contacts

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