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A Four-Arm RCT, testing the acute effects of a Virtual Reality (VR)- based slow-paced breathing intervention on subjective and physiological markers of stress. The investigator hypothesize that combining slow breathing with immersive, mystical-type VR elements will result in the greatest stress reduction.
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| Label | Type | Description | Intervention Names |
|---|---|---|---|
| VR-Breathing+Mystical | Experimental | Participants engage in guided slow-paced breathing using VR that provides mystical-type visual feedback. |
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| VR-Mystical | Experimental | Participants passively view the same nature scene as in the first condition (VR-Breathing+Mystical), but without guided breathing instructions (i.e., they breathe naturally). |
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| Non-VR-Breathing | Experimental | Participants follow a slow-paced breathing pattern guided by a simple visual cue (expanding/contracting circle) on a standard computer screen. |
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| VR-Control | Sham Comparator | To control for the effects of experiencing VR, participants will watch a neutral documentary in a video player implemented in VR. |
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| Name | Type | Description | Arm Group Labels | Other Names |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| VR (VR-Breathing+Mystical) | Device | The VR-based slow-paced breathing application is designed to provide rewarding biofeedback for a specific breathing pattern characterized by prolonged exhales. As users extend their exhales, a veil of fog gradually lifts, introducing a mystical type experience. Over time, users are rewarded with a full 360-degree panoramic view of the beautiful nature scene, accompanied by relaxing music. After approximately 5 minutes of prolonged exhales, the nature scene responds to the user's breathing by slowing down, with falling snowflakes moving more slowly, further enhancing the mystical atmosphere. This intervention was designed to be visually captivating, mystically evocative, and emotionally engaging. Duration: 10 minutes. |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Subjective stress | Subjective stress measured using visual analogue scales (VAS) on a computer | Assessed before and after the 10-minute interventions. |
| Measure | Description | Time Frame |
|---|---|---|
| Mood | Mood measured using visual analogue scales (VAS) on a computer. | Assessed before and after the 10-minute interventions. |
| Anxiety | Anxiety measured using visual analogue scales (VAS) on a computer. |
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Inclusion Criteria:
Exclusion Criteria:
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| Name | Role | Phone | Extension | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fabian Mueller, Msc | Contact | +41612070272 | fabi.mueller@unibas.ch |
| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Dominique de Quervain, Prof. MD | University of Basel, Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neuroscience | Study Chair |
| Facility | Status | City | State | ZIP | Country | Contacts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Basel, Division of Cognitive Neuroscience | Recruiting | Basel | Canton of Basel-City | 4055 | Switzerland |
All IPD (de-identified) that underline results in a publication will be shared upon reasonable request.
IPD will be available after publication, study protocol (including statistical analysis plan) will be made available before start of the study.
All IPD (de-identified) that underline results in a publication will be shared upon reasonable request for scientific purposes. A reasonable request consists of a short description of the scientific purpose. Request will be reviewed by the team of the principal investigator.
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| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D007040 | Hypoventilation |
| D053120 | Respiratory Aspiration |
| ID | Term |
|---|---|
| D012131 | Respiratory Insufficiency |
| D012120 | Respiration Disorders |
| D012140 | Respiratory Tract Diseases |
| D012818 | Signs and Symptoms, Respiratory |
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| VR (VR-Mystical) | Device | Users will experience the gradual unveiling of a beautiful natural landscape as the fog lifts, and eventually, the scene slows down similar to the VR Breathing+Mystical condition. However, this application does not provide any biofeedback or breathing instructions. Users are invited to passively observe the unfolding experience, immersing themselves in the environment for 10 minutes. Relaxing music accompanies the scene. This condition relies solely on the immersive and aesthetic qualities of the virtual environment to potentially induce relaxation. |
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| Computer (Non-VR-Breathing) | Device | In this conventional breathing intervention, participants will be instructed to follow a slow-paced breathing pattern guided by a simple visual cue (an expanding and contracting circle) displayed on a computer screen for 10 minutes. This condition is designed to guide slow-paced breathing without incorporating any rewarding elements. |
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| VR (VR-Control) | Drug | In the control condition, participants will watch a neutral documentary for 10 minutes in VR. This condition is used to control for the effects of the immersive VR experience. It does not include any components related to guided breathing or mystical-type content, or any form of rewarding elements. |
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| Assessed before and after the 10-minute interventions. |
| Relaxation | Relaxation measured using visual analogue scales (VAS) on a computer. | Assessed before and after the 10-minute interventions. |
| Electrodermal Activity | Physiological responses measured via Electrodermal Activity. | Assessed during the 10-minute interventions. |
| Respiration | Physiological responses measured via Piezoelectric Sensor (detecting variations in abdominal movement during respiration). | Assessed during the 10-minute interventions. |
| Blood volume pulse | Blood volume pulse measured via Photoplethysmography. | Assessed during the 10-minute interventions. |
| Heart rate (variability) | Heart rate outcomes (e.g., HR, HRV) measured via Electrocardiogram. | Assessed during the 10-minute interventions. |
| Perceived mysticality | Perceived mysticality assessed using the Mystical Experience Questionnaire-30 questionnaire. | Assessed after the 10-minute interventions. |
| User experience | Average user experience measured via visual analogue scales (VAS) on a computer. | Assessed after the 10-minute interventions. |
| D012816 | Signs and Symptoms |
| D013568 | Pathological Conditions, Signs and Symptoms |
| D010335 | Pathologic Processes |