Yoga with VR or traditional yoga for core strength, balance, and stress in university students
The Effects of Yoga Exercises With and Without Virtual Reality on Core Stabilization, Balance, and Stress in University Students
This program will test whether doing yoga with immersive virtual reality or the same yoga without VR better lowers stress and improves core stability and balance in students aged 18–30.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 32 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 30 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Istinye University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Istanbul, Zeytinburnu) |
| Trial ID | NCT07310017 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
University students with moderate-to-high perceived stress will be screened and enrolled. Eligible participants are randomly assigned to either a virtual reality yoga group, which practices therapist-guided breathing and movement inside immersive VR environments, or a traditional yoga group receiving the same therapist guidance without VR. Both groups complete 12 supervised 30-minute sessions over four weeks (three sessions per week) using a structured sequence of postures targeting trunk stability, flexibility, and balance. Outcomes include changes in perceived stress, core stabilization, and balance performance.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates are university students aged 18–30 with moderate-to-high perceived stress who have no contraindications to yoga or VR use.
Not a fit: Patients with diagnosed psychological conditions requiring treatment, significant musculoskeletal limitations, use of medications that affect stress, or those already in structured stress-reduction programs are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the VR-supported approach could lower stress and improve core stability and balance more effectively or more quickly than traditional yoga alone.
How similar studies have performed: Traditional yoga has demonstrated benefits for stress and balance in multiple studies, while VR-supported yoga is an emerging approach with small feasibility studies but limited large-scale efficacy data.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * University student aged 18-30 * Moderate-to-high perceived stress levels (DASS-21) * No contraindications for yoga or VR use Exclusion Criteria: * Diagnosed psychological conditions requiring treatment * Musculoskeletal limitations that prevent participation * Use of medications affecting stress * Current participation in structured stress-reduction programs
Where this trial is running
Istanbul, Zeytinburnu
- Fizyoterapi ve Rehabilitasyon Uygulama ve Araștırma Merkezi (İSÜFİZYOTEM) — Istanbul, Zeytinburnu, Turkey (Türkiye) (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Çiçek Günday, Asst. Prof. — Istinye University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation
- Study coordinator: Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Çiçek Günday, Asst. Prof
- Email: cicek.gunday@istinye.edu.tr
- Phone: +90 507 188 8848
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.