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

NCT07712549

Not Yet RecruitingNA

Sponsor: Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design

Conditions: Psychological Distress, Chronic Disease, Learned Helplessness

Interventions: Interactive nature-based virtual reality intervention, Passive nature-based virtual reality exposure

Countries: Hungary

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.

Eligibility overview

Sex: ALL

Age: 60 Years to

Healthy volunteers: No

Study type: INTERVENTIONAL

Eligibility criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Aged 60 years or older
* Diagnosed with at least one chronic medical condition
* Currently receiving inpatient hospital care
* Expected to remain hospitalized for at least four weeks following enrolment
* Physically able to use a head-mounted virtual reality device, as determined by the treating clinical team
* Able to provide written informed consent
* Able to complete study assessments and participate in the intervention procedures

Exclusion Criteria:

* Cognitive impairment, defined as a score below 18 on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA)
* Impaired consciousness or reduced alertness that would prevent meaningful participation
* Current or previous diagnosis of a psychotic disorder
* Current substance use disorder that would interfere with participation in the study procedures
* Current treatment with antipsychotic medication
* Untreated epilepsy
* Severe vestibular dysfunction or recurrent vertigo
* Any medical condition judged by the treating physician to make participation unsafe or inappropriate
Locations (3)
  • Budapest, Hungary
  • Budapest, Hungary
  • Szeged, Hungary