COVID Feel Good-An Easy Self-Help Virtual Reality Protocol to Overcome the Psychological Burden of Coronavirus

NCT ID: NCT06850376

Last Updated: 2025-02-27

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 36 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2020-04-01
• Study Completion Date: 2021-12-31

Brief Summary

This pragmatic trial aims to evaluate whether a weekly self-help virtual reality protocol can help overcome the psychological burden of the COVID-19 pandemic. The protocol is based on 'The Secret Garden' 360° VR video available online (www.covidfeelgood.com) which simulates a natural environment to promote relaxation and self-reflection. The VR experience is combined with daily cognitive and social exercises designed to facilitate critical examination of personal identity, relationships, and coping strategies. The study assesses whether this intervention can reduce anxiety, depression, perceived stress, and hopelessness while improving well-being and social connectedness during pandemic-related restrictions.

Conditions

COVID-19 Pandemic Psychological Impact; Stress; Anxiety Disorders; Depression; Social Isolation

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: NONE

Study Groups

VR Self-Help Protocol

Participants in this arm receive the 7-day COVID Feel Good self-help protocol immediately upon enrollment. The intervention consists of daily exposure to the 'Secret Garden' 360° VR video combined with specific daily cognitive and social exercises. Participants use a VR headset compatible with the Cardboard format to experience the 10-minute VR video once per day for 7 consecutive days, followed by completing the daily exercise with a partner.

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

COVID Feel Good VR Self-Help Protocol

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

The intervention consists of a 7-day self-help protocol based on daily exposure to 'The Secret Garden' 360° VR video (10 minutes per day) available at www.covidfeelgood.com, combined with different daily cognitive and social exercises. Participants use a smartphone with VR headset compatible with the Cardboard format. Each day's exercise addresses different psychological aspects: fighting rumination, awakening self-esteem, autobiographical memory, sense of community, goals and dreams, empathy, and planning for change. Exercises are designed to be performed individually and then discussed with a partner.

Waiting List Control

Participants in this arm are placed on a waiting list for 7 days before receiving the intervention. During this waiting period, they complete the same baseline assessments as the experimental group but do not receive any specific intervention. After the 7-day waiting period, these participants then receive the same 7-day VR self-help protocol.

Group Type: OTHER

Waiting Period

Intervention Type: OTHER

Participants in the control group initially undergo a 7-day waiting period before receiving the VR self-help protocol. During this period, they complete the same baseline assessments as the experimental group but do not receive any specific intervention.

Interventions

COVID Feel Good VR Self-Help Protocol

The intervention consists of a 7-day self-help protocol based on daily exposure to 'The Secret Garden' 360° VR video (10 minutes per day) available at www.covidfeelgood.com, combined with different daily cognitive and social exercises. Participants use a smartphone with VR headset compatible with the Cardboard format. Each day's exercise addresses different psychological aspects: fighting rumination, awakening self-esteem, autobiographical memory, sense of community, goals and dreams, empathy, and planning for change. Exercises are designed to be performed individually and then discussed with a partner.

Intervention Type: BEHAVIORAL

Waiting Period

Participants in the control group initially undergo a 7-day waiting period before receiving the VR self-help protocol. During this period, they complete the same baseline assessments as the experimental group but do not receive any specific intervention.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Adult participants (≥18 years)
• Native speakers of the country where they will be enrolled
• Have experienced at least two months of quarantine or isolation related to the coronavirus pandemic
• Provide full, written, informed consent
• Have the availability of a smartphone and a cardboard VR headset
• Availability and agreement of a partner for conducting the self-help component of the treatment

Exclusion Criteria

• Visual or hearing impairments that can limit the participation in the protocol
• Participants reporting vestibular and/or balance disorders

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Clemson University (Virtual Reality and Nature Lab)

UNKNOWN

Sponsor Role: collaborator

University of Barcelona

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

University of Tsukuba

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Konkuk University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

University of Bergen

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

University of Liege

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Catholic University of the Sacred Heart

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Istituto Auxologico Italiano

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Responsibility Role: SPONSOR

Locations

IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano

Milan, Lombardy, Italy

Countries

Italy

Other Identifiers

39C001

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id