Virtual Reality in Patients With Pulmonary Hypertension: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Effectiveness of Exercise Training Applied Through Virtual Reality in Patients With Pulmonary Hypertension

The goal of this research is to investigate the effectiveness of exercise administered via immersive virtual reality in patients with pulmonary hypertension, thereby contributing to the existing literature on this subject. The main question is whether exercises delivered via immersive virtual reality are effective to improve physical performance, functional capacity, dyspnea, muscle strength, fatigue, quality of life, depression and anxiety.

The number of studies examining the effects of exercise training in pulmonary hypertension (PH) is limited in the literature. Given the chronic nature of PH and the benefits of exercise in PH, the importance of exercise programs that include motivation as a factor becomes apparent. Therefore, the aim of this research is to investigate the effectiveness of exercise programs implemented via virtual reality under the supervision of a physiotherapist in PH patients. To investigators' knowledge, there are no studies in the literature examining the effectiveness of exercise training conducted via virtual reality in PH patients. Therefore, another aim of this research is to identify virtual reality (VR) applications that can be used to improve clinical outcomes in PH patients and to contribute to the literature on the effectiveness of using innovative technologies in rehabilitation programs.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Diagnosis of Idiopathic Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension,
• Stable pharmacological treatment for the past 3 months,
• Hemodynamic and clinical stability for at least the past three months,
• Age of 18-65,
• Voluntary participation in the study and signing the informed consent form,
• Being classified in the World Health Organization-Functional Classification I, II or III.

Exclusion Criteria:

• The presence of an orthopedic or neurological problem that will affect functional tests and muscle strength measurement,
• Acute decompensated heart failure,
• Unstable angina pectoris,
• Uncontrolled hypertension,
• The presence of problems that hinder communication,
• Dizziness, vertigo,
• Severe visual impairment,