Attentional Focus in Virtual Reality

Effect of Internal and External Focus on Balance Performance: Comparison of Virtual Reality and Real World Environment

The goal of this explorative observational study is to learn about the effect of internal and external focus on postural control in virtual reality and compare with the real world environment in young adults. The main question it aims to answer is:

Does attentional focus effect differently on postural control in virtual reality comparing to real world environment?

Study Overview

• Status: Not yet recruiting
• Conditions: Attentional Focus in Virtual Reality

Detailed Description

Virtual Reality is used to improve postural control in various populations. However, exercise with virtual reality glasses cause new challenges to the user in maintaining balance. In this study, the effect of internal and external focus on postural control in the virtual reality environment will be revealed and compared with the performance in the real environment. The results of the study will guide the customization and optimization of balance training programs implemented in the virtual reality environment. A total of 38 healthy young adults will be included and allocated into Group I (Virtual Reality) or Group II (Real World) (ratio 1:1). The balance performance of the participants will be assessed with single leg stance test and bipodal stance test. The participants will be instructed to stand still and maintain balance on the forceplate in three conditions: (1) with an internal focus, (2) with an external focus, and (3) non-directional. Conditions will be applied to the participants randomly to avoid bias. Each condition will be measured three times and the mean values will be recorded as outcomes. The total displacement of center of pressure (CoP), the mean velocity of CoP, the CoP area, total mediolateral (ML) displacement, the mean velocity in ML, total anteroposterior (AP) displacement and the mean velocity in AP will assessed with K-Force Plates (Kinvent, France).

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Estimated): 38

Contacts and Locations

• Study Contact: Name: Aybike Şenel, PT, MSc; Phone Number: 05315839924; Email: Aybikesenel@hotmail.com

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: Adult
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: N/A

• Sampling Method: Probability Sample

Study Population

healthy young adults between the ages of 18-26

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Being a healthy individual between the ages of 18-26
• Lower extremity functional motor signs or sensory features should be normal or corrected
• No lower extremity injury within 6 months
• Not taking alcohol or medication 12 hours before
• Having no virtual reality experience

Exclusion Criteria:

• History of epilepsy, marked dissociative seizures
• Needing assistive devices to maintain upright posture
• Other comorbidities that may affect postural control (dizziness, vestibular disorders, orthopedic or cardiovascular comorbidities)
• Being an athlete
• Positive Fukuda stepping test

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

2

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Group I-Virtual Reality; In this group, participants will be in a virtual environment with a VR glass put on. The balance performance of the participants will be assessed with single leg stance test and bipodal stance test. The participants will be instructed to stand still and maintain balance on the forceplate in three conditions: (1) with an internal focus, (2) with an external focus, and (3) non-directional. Conditions will be applied to the participants randomly to avoid bias. Each condition will be measured three times and the mean values will be recorded as outcomes. The total displacement of center of pressure (CoP), the mean velocity of CoP, the CoP area, total mediolateral (ML) displacement, the mean velocity in ML, total anteroposterior (AP) displacement and the mean velocity in AP will assessed with K-Force Plates (Kinvent, France).
Group II-Real World; The balance performance of the participants will be assessed with single leg stance test and bipodal stance test. The participants will be instructed to stand still and maintain balance on the forceplate in three conditions: (1) with an internal focus, (2) with an external focus, and (3) non-directional. Conditions will be applied to the participants randomly to avoid bias. Each condition will be measured three times and the mean values will be recorded as outcomes. The total displacement of center of pressure (CoP), the mean velocity of CoP, the CoP area, total mediolateral (ML) displacement, the mean velocity in ML, total anteroposterior (AP) displacement and the mean velocity in AP will assessed with K-Force Plates (Kinvent, France).

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Total displacement of center of pressure	Total displacement of center of pressure on the force plate	baseline
The mean velocity of center of pressure	the mean velocity of center of pressure on the force plate	baseline
The area of center of pressure	the area drawn by the movement of center of pressure on the force plate	baseline
total mediolateral displacement	total mediolateral displacement of center of pressure on the force plate	baseline
total anterolateral displacement	total anterolateral displacement of center of pressure on the force plate	baseline
the mean velocity in mediolateral	the mean velocity of total mediolateral displacement of center of pressure on the force plate	baseline
the mean velocity in anterolateral	the mean velocity of total anterolateral displacement of center of pressure on the force plate	baseline

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa (IUC)

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (Estimated): May 15, 2024
• Primary Completion (Estimated): July 1, 2024
• Study Completion (Estimated): July 15, 2024

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: May 9, 2024
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 9, 2024
• First Posted (Actual): May 14, 2024

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Actual): May 16, 2024
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: May 14, 2024
• Last Verified: May 1, 2024

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: Virtual Reality; Postural Control; Focus of Attention
• Other Study ID Numbers: 06052024

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No