What Is the Impact of Engaging With Natural Environments Delivered Via Virtual Reality on the Psycho-emotional Health of People With Spinal Cord Injury Receiving Rehabilitation in Hospital? Findings From a Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.
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.
['Lakhani|Ali|A|', 'Martin|Kate|K|', 'Gray|Lyndal|L|', 'Mallison|Jessica|J|', 'Grimbeek|Peter|P|', 'Hollins|Izak|I|', 'Mackareth|Col|C|']
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Virtual reality Spinal cord injuries Rehabilitation