An interventional study of Virtual Reality Physical Therapy and Traditional Physical Therapy in Physical Health, sponsored by Stanford University. Recruiting at 1 site in United States. Open to participants aged 10 Years to 25 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-06-04.
Sponsored by Stanford University · Not applicable, Interventional, and Supportive care
This pragmatic, crossover, randomized controlled study evaluates the efficacy of virtual reality assisted physical therapy (VRPT) for improving the physical activity of hospitalized children as compared to traditional physical therapy. This is a pilot study that will be used to identify patient populations that can benefit the most from VRPT and estimate this effect for future studies.
Patients with a significant neurological condition, major developmental disability, active infection of the face or hand, history of severe motion sickness, history of seizures caused by flashing light or had a major surgery within the last 48 hours will be excluded.
Childhood cancer is a significant health concern worldwide. Despite improved 5-year survival rates (80%-85%), children undergoing treatment face physiological and psychosocial challenges, including chronic pain, limited mobility, muscle loss, low bone density, and mental distress. To mitigate negative therapy-related adverse health outcomes and improve quality of life, supportive care measures are emphasized during cancer treatments. The US Department of Health \& Human Services advises Pediatric oncology patients to engage in 30 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity, 3 times a week, for a healthy lifestyle. Regular exercise during and after treatment profoundly impacts a child's physical, psychological, and social well-being. Inpatient and outpatient physical therapy is commonly suggested for patients. Yet, traditional physical therapy is usually monotonous and repetitive, leading to boredom and decreased adherence. Limited exercise variation may fail to captivate attention and provide motivation for consistent participation.
Virtual reality physical therapy (VRPT) provides dynamic and interactive exercise, overcoming traditional therapy's boredom. Exergaming offers fun and excitement through engaging virtual environments and gameplay. It enhances motivation, sustains interest, and encourages longer exercise. Personalized and adaptive interventions in virtual reality target individual needs and allow progress tracking.
2,426 studies on the registry are indexed under Motor Activity; 1,161 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 40 is below the median of 60 across 2,118 interventional studies indexed under Motor Activity.
Browse Motor Activity studies →Stanford University is the lead sponsor of 2,117 studies on the registry; 425 are open to participants now.
Of its 259 completed or terminated interventional studies of FDA-regulated products, 197 (76%) have results posted.
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Exclusion Criteria:
Participants will receive Virtual Reality assisted Physical Therapy sessions (VRPT) in the first Physical Therapy (PT) session and will receive traditional Physical Therapy sessions (standard care) in the second Physical Therapy session under the supervision of the accredited physical therapist.
Behavioral: Virtual Reality Physical Therapy · Behavioral: Traditional Physical Therapy
Participants will receive traditional Physical Therapy (PT) sessions (standard care) in the first Physical Therapy session and Virtual Reality assisted Physical Therapy sessions (VRPT) in the second Physical Therapy session under the supervision of the accredited physical therapist.
Behavioral: Virtual Reality Physical Therapy · Behavioral: Traditional Physical Therapy
Participants are allowed to freely choose one game from the game list. Participant will be asked to wear a validated activity tracker - ActiGraph. Baseline heart rate will be collected for 1 minute. Participants will be wearing the ActiGraph during Physical Therapy session. Participants receiving VR intervention will be instructed to wear an Oculus Quest 2 headset (Meta, Inc., Menlo Park, CA) and participate in VR applications under the supervision of the physical therapist.
Also known as: VRPT
Participants will receive traditional Physical Therapy sessions (standard care) under the supervision of the accredited physical therapist. Participants will be wearing the Actigraph during Physical Therapy session. Participants will perform regular physical exercise, such as 20 minutes walking or biking on a stationary bike, under the supervision of a physical therapist.
ActiGraph data points
Compare the total Metabolic Equivalent of Task (METs) rate of pediatric oncology patients when undergo virtual reality assisted physical therapy and traditional physical therapy measured by ActiGraph watch
Time frame: During physical therapy session
Total exercise time spend in moderate-vigorous activity
Compare the difference in total exercise time in moderate-vigorous activity of pediatric oncology patients when undergo virtual reality assisted physical therapy and traditional physical therapy measured by ActiGraph watch
Time frame: During physical therapy session
Total exercise time spend in sedentary activity
change in total exercise time in sedentary activity of pediatric oncology patients when undergoing virtual reality assisted physical therapy compared to traditional physical therapy measured by ActiGraph watch. For this measure, both absolute change and difference in the proportion of time spent will be evaluated.
Time frame: During physical therapy session
Total exercise time spend in light activity
change in the total exercise time in light activity of pediatric oncology patients when undergoing virtual reality assisted physical therapy compared to traditional physical therapy measured by ActiGraph watch. For this measure, both absolute change and difference in the proportion of time spent will be evaluated.
Time frame: During physical therapy session
Change in OMNI RPE survey scores
Patients will self-report fatigue according to the Adult OMNI-Walk/Run RPE Scale (OMNI RPE) scale after both the VR and standard of care portion. The OMNI RPE is an 11-categories perceived exertion rating scale with a numerical rating from 0 to 10 (0= Not Tired at All, 10= Very, Very Tired).
Time frame: immediately after the physical therapy session
Feasibility and Usability Survey (Parent)
Tabulate the self -formulated Feasibility and Usability Survey. This questionnaire consists of 12 items, including 5 Likert questions, 6 yes/no questions and 1 open-end question. Measures are to be graded using a 1-10 scale, from 1=not at all, to 10=very much.
Time frame: immediately after the physical therapy session
Acceptability of Intervention Measure (AIM) survey
This questionnaire consists of 4 items. Measures are to be graded using a 1-5 scale, from 1=completely disagree, to 5= completely agree
Time frame: immediately after the physical therapy session
Intervention Appropriateness Measure (IAM) survey
This questionnaire consists of 4 items. Measures are to be graded using a 1-5 scale, from 1=completely disagree, to 5= completely agree
Time frame: immediately after the physical therapy session
Feasibility of Intervention Measure (FIM) survey
This questionnaire consists of 4 items. Measures are to be graded using a 1-5 scale, from 1=completely disagree, to 5= completely agree
Time frame: immediately after the physical therapy session
Plan to share: No
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