Virtual Therapy as a Method Supporting the Cardiac Rehabilitation

Summary

This study evaluates the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) therapy in the treatment of depression and anxiety symptoms in patients undergoing second stage of cardiac rehabilitation. Half of the study group will receive VR therapy (VR group) as an addition to cardiologically monitored physical training. The other half of the group (control group) will receive Schultz Autogenic Training as a standard supplement to cardiological training.

Conditions

• Cardiovascular Diseases
• Coronary Artery Disease
• Depressive Symptoms
• Mood Disorders
• Anxiety State
• Stress

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Cardiac rehabilitation

Four weeks of cardiac rehabilitation conducted in an outpatient care facility. Three times per week (80 minutes per day) cardiologically monitored aerobic training consisting of: 40 minutes of interval training on a cycloergometer and 40 minutes of general fitness exercises.

DEVICE

Virtual therapeutic support

8 sessions of VR therapy (each of them 20 minutes long). As a virtual reality source, VR Tier One device (Stolgraf®) were used. Thanks to using head mounted display and the phenomenon of total immersion VR therapy provides an intense visual, auditory and kinesthetic stimulation. It can have a calming and mood-improving effect or help the patients recognize their psychological resources and motivate to the rehabilitation process. In the virtual therapeutic garden there are a rich set of symbols and metaphors based on Ericksonian Psychotherapy approach. The most important is the Garden of Revival which symbolizes the patient's health. It used to be full of life and energy, now it is neglected, requires work to be revived. In the therapeutic process day by day, the therapist tells the patient a symbolic story about his/her situation. By performing tasks in the virtual garden, the patient becomes an active participant of the therapeutic process and sees the effects his/her work.

BEHAVIORAL

Standard therapeutic support

8 sessions of Schultz Autogenic Training (each of them 20 minutes long).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Foundation for Senior Citizen Activation SIWY DYM

  collaborator OTHER

• Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Joanna Szczepańska-Gieracha, Prof · University School of Physical Education, Poland

• Joanna Szczepańska-Gieracha, Prof · University School of Physical Education, Poland

• Sandra Jóźwik · University School of Physical Education, Poland

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

60 Years

Max Age

80 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2019-06-06

Primary Completion

2019-09-30

Completion

2019-10-30

Countries

• Poland

Study Locations