Abstract
Objectives
This study investigated (1) the effect of engaging with 20-minute simulated natural
environments delivered via virtual reality (VR) on current mood state and (2) the
effect of engaging with multiple VR sessions over a period of a week on the depressive
symptoms of people with a spinal cord injury (SCI).
Design
Randomized controlled trial design.
Setting
Spinal Cord Injury Rehabilitation Unit in Australia.
Participants
Participants (N=24) were assigned to a group engaging in VR sessions during week 1
(group 1, n=10) or week 2 (group 2, n=14).
Interventions
The intervention week involved participation in up to three 20-minute VR sessions
over 3 consecutive days. The control condition involved regular rehabilitation practice
over a week.
Main Outcome Measures
The Patient Health Questionnaire-8 (PHQ-8) was completed prior to the first week (T1),
after the first week and prior to the second week (T2), and after the second week
(T3). Current feeling states, including depressed/happy, anxious/relaxed, and not
feeling good/feeling good, were rated immediately prior and after each VR session.
Results
Levels of happiness, relaxation, and feeling good were significantly higher subsequent
to engaging with each VR session. Between-group differences in PHQ-8 scores were significantly
greater for participants who experienced the intervention during the first week compared
to participants within the control group: intervention participants had significant
improvements in psycho-emotional health. Within-group PHQ-8 scores were reduced for
each group subsequent to experiencing the intervention; however, differences were
not significant.
Conclusions
Engaging with simulated natural environments delivered via VR can favorably affect
the psycho-emotional health of people with SCI receiving rehabilitation in hospital.
Future research including larger samples and investigating the effect over a longer
time period is required to confirm the findings presented.
Keywords
List of abbreviations:
PHQ-8 (Patient Health Questionnaire-8), SCI (spinal cord injury), VR (virtual reality)To read this article in full you will need to make a payment
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: June 02, 2020
Footnotes
Supported by The Hopkins Centre (Round 3 Seed Grant), Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University.
During the study design, data collection, and preliminary data analysis phases of this research, Dr Ali Lakhani was employed as a Research Fellow with The Hopkins Centre, Menzies Health Institute Queensland, at Griffith University. During this time, his role was funded by the Motor Accident Insurance Commission Queensland and Griffith University. The other authors have nothing to disclose.
Identification
Copyright
© 2020 by the American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine
