SPARK: Supporting Physical Activity Through Reality-Augmented Knowledge in COPD (SPARK)

September 17, 2026 updated by: Groupe Hospitalier du Havre

Acceptability of an Augmented Reality Virtual Coach for Physical Exercise Practice in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: a Multicenter Study

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is associated with dyspnea, reduced physical activity, muscle deconditioning, and impaired quality of life. Pulmonary rehabilitation is an effective non-pharmacological intervention, but access remains limited and long-term adherence to physical exercise is often difficult to maintain. Augmented reality may provide an innovative approach to support exercise practice by offering real-time visual and auditory guidance while allowing patients to remain anchored in their real environment.

The SPARK study is a multicenter, interventional, non-randomized, proof-of-concept study designed to assess the acceptability of an augmented reality virtual coach for physical exercise in adults with COPD. Participants will attend a single experimental session including baseline questionnaires, presentation of the augmented reality headset, a short immersive exercise session guided by a virtual coach, and post-immersion assessments. Acceptability will be evaluated using the Technology Acceptance Model 3 questionnaire before and after immersion. User experience will also be explored through focus group discussions analyzed according to UXive dimensions.

The study aims to determine whether this technology is acceptable to patients with COPD and to identify factors that may facilitate or limit its future integration into pulmonary rehabilitation pathways.

Study Overview

Status

Recruiting

Conditions

Intervention / Treatment

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

42

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

Study Contact Backup

Study Locations

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Genders Eligible for Study

All

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  • Age ≥ 18 years Diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) confirmed according to GOLD recommendations, defined by a post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC ratio < 0.70 No exacerbation during the previous month, defined as hospitalization or major therapeutic modification related to worsening respiratory symptoms Written informed consent obtained before any study-related procedure Affiliation to a social security system

Exclusion Criteria:

  • COPD exacerbation during the previous month Major motor disorders, disabling osteoarticular conditions, or significant functional dependence preventing safe participation in physical exercises Insufficient cognitive or language abilities to understand instructions, complete questionnaires, or participate in the semi-structured interview Photosensitive epilepsy Uncorrected or atypical visual and/or hearing impairment Patient under legal guardianship, curatorship, or incarcerated Pregnant or breastfeeding woman

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Treatment
  • Allocation: N/A
  • Interventional Model: Single Group Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Experimental: Augmented Reality Virtual Coach Session

Participants with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease will attend a single experimental session using an augmented reality headset with a virtual coach. After baseline questionnaires and headset presentation, participants will complete an approximately 20-minute guided exercise session including calf raises, sit-to-stand exercises, and stretching. The virtual coach provides standardized instructions and corrective feedback during strengthening exercises. Acceptability will be assessed before and after immersion using the TAM3 questionnaire, followed by a focus group exploring user experience.
Device: Augmented Reality Virtual Coach

Participants will use an augmented reality headset delivering a virtual coach-guided exercise session. The intervention consists of a single approximately 20-minute immersive session performed in a secured environment. The virtual coach provides standardized instructions and corrective feedback during strengthening exercises. The session includes calf raises, sit-to-stand exercises, and stretching. The intervention is designed to assess the acceptability and user experience of an augmented reality-based exercise support tool in adults with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Other Names:
  • Augmented Reality Exercise Coach
  • SPARK Virtual Coach

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Global Acceptability Score of the Augmented Reality Virtual Coach
Time Frame: Immediately after the augmented reality immersion session, during the single study visit

Acceptability will be assessed using the global score of the adapted Technology Acceptance Model 3 questionnaire completed immediately after the augmented reality immersion session. Items are rated on a 7-point Likert scale, with higher scores indicating greater acceptability. The mean global score will be compared with the theoretical neutral value of 4.
Immediately after the augmented reality immersion session, during the single study visit

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Sponsor

Groupe Hospitalier du Havre

Collaborators

ADIR Association
GRHVN Université Rouen
HAVAE Université Limoges

Investigators

  • Study Director: Anaick Perrochon, PhD, Université Limoges
  • Study Director: Bonnevie Tristan, PhD, ADIR Association
  • Study Director: Benoit Borel, PhD, Université Limoges

Publications and helpful links

The person responsible for entering information about the study voluntarily provides these publications. These may be about anything related to the study.

General Publications

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

June 15, 2026

Primary Completion (Estimated)

October 31, 2026

Study Completion (Estimated)

January 31, 2027

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

June 8, 2026

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 17, 2026

First Posted (Actual)

September 23, 2026

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

September 23, 2026

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

September 17, 2026

Last Verified

June 1, 2026

More Information

Terms related to this study

Keywords

Additional Relevant MeSH Terms

Other Study ID Numbers

  • 2026-A00566-45
  • 2026-A00566-45 (Registry Identifier: ANSM)

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

NO

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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