Using Virtual Reality and Progressive Muscle Relaxation to Manage Stress in Physiotherapy Students

The Effect of Virtual Reality (VR) and Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) in Stress Management Among Physiotherapy Students

Not applicable Interventional Shalamar Institute of Health Sciences · NCT06028360

This study is testing whether using Virtual Reality with Progressive Muscle Relaxation can help reduce stress for physiotherapy students.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment30 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 24 Years
SexAll
SponsorShalamar Institute of Health Sciences Academic / other
Locations1 site (Lahore, Punjab)
Trial IDNCT06028360 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This clinical trial aims to evaluate the effectiveness of combining Virtual Reality (VR) with Progressive Muscle Relaxation (PMR) in reducing stress among physiotherapy students. A total of 20 students will be randomly assigned to either a control group receiving only PMR or an experimental group receiving PMR followed by VR sessions featuring calming landscapes. Stress levels will be assessed using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) before and after the intervention. The study seeks to explore innovative approaches to stress management in a population that frequently experiences academic-related stress.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are physiotherapy students aged 18-24 who experience moderate to high levels of stress.

Not a fit: Patients who are prone to motion sickness or have phobias related to the landscapes used in the VR sessions may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could provide an effective method for physiotherapy students to manage and reduce their stress levels.

How similar studies have performed: While the combination of PMR and VR is a relatively novel approach, previous studies have shown that both PMR and VR individually can effectively reduce stress.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Students of either sex, aged between 18-24 years
* Students with Stress (through perceived stress scale PSS, any individual with a score above 14)

Exclusion Criteria:

* Students more susceptible to motion sickness (Through VIMSSQ),
* Students with in-corrected eye-sight,
* Students with phobias relevant to landscapes/views of mountains, forests, beaches and night-skies.

Where this trial is running

Lahore, Punjab

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions StressPsychological stressprogressive muscle relaxation
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.