Immersive virtual reality to reduce breathing effort during exercise in healthy adults

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This is a randomized crossover pilot where healthy adults complete two exercise sessions: one with immersive virtual reality (IVR) and one without, in randomized order. In both sessions participants perform a 6-minute constant-load cycling test at a submaximal workload individualized from a prior incremental exercise test. Respiratory effort is measured continuously using esophageal pressure monitoring, with additional recordings of ventilatory variables, perceived dyspnea, acute state anxiety, and heart rate. The single-site protocol is conducted at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile and is designed to detect acute IVR effects on physiological and perceptual responses to exercise.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

Inclusion Criteria:

* Healthy adults aged 18-40 years
* Ability to perform cycle ergometer exercise testing
* No known history of cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurological, or metabolic disease

Exclusion Criteria:

* Current respiratory symptoms or acute illness
* Known cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurological, or metabolic disease
* Use of medications that may affect respiratory or cardiovascular responses to exercise
* Contraindications to exercise testing according to standard clinical guidelines
* Pregnancy
* Inability to tolerate placement of an esophageal balloon catheter
* Susceptibility to motion sickness or discomfort with immersive virtual reality devices

Where it's running

• Escuela de Ciencias de la Salud UC. Departamento de Kinesiología.
  Santiago, Santiago Metropolitan, Chile Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Gonzalo A Valdivia Lobos, Physiotherapy
• Email: gavaldivia@uc.cl
• Phone: +56971367803

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.