Slow Breathing
Conditions
Keywords
Virtual Reality, Stress, Breathing, Biofeedback
Brief summary
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.
Interventions
DEVICEVR (VR-Breathing+Mystical)
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.
DEVICEVR (VR-Mystical)
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.
DEVICEComputer (Non-VR-Breathing)
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.
DRUGVR (VR-Control)
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.
Sponsors
Prof. Dominique de Quervain, MD
Study design
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
PARALLEL
Primary purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 35 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* \> 60 points on the PSQ-30 out of a maximum 120-point scale in the screening * Healthy * Aged between 18-35 * Fluent in German
Exclusion criteria
* A current diagnosis of psychiatric disorders (self-reported) * Chronic medication use (except oral contraceptives) * Parallel participation in another medical or psychological study * Suicidal tendencies (PHQ-9 item 9 \> 0)3 * PHQ-9 score ≥ 10 * A visual impairment not corrected by glasses or contact lenses
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Subjective stress | Assessed before and after the 10-minute interventions. | Subjective stress measured using visual analogue scales (VAS) on a computer |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Mood | Assessed before and after the 10-minute interventions. | Mood measured using visual analogue scales (VAS) on a computer. |
| Anxiety | Assessed before and after the 10-minute interventions. | Anxiety measured using visual analogue scales (VAS) on a computer. |
| Relaxation | Assessed before and after the 10-minute interventions. | Relaxation measured using visual analogue scales (VAS) on a computer. |
| Electrodermal Activity | Assessed during the 10-minute interventions. | Physiological responses measured via Electrodermal Activity. |
| Respiration | Assessed during the 10-minute interventions. | Physiological responses measured via Piezoelectric Sensor (detecting variations in abdominal movement during respiration). |
| Blood volume pulse | Assessed during the 10-minute interventions. | Blood volume pulse measured via Photoplethysmography. |
| Heart rate (variability) | Assessed during the 10-minute interventions. | Heart rate outcomes (e.g., HR, HRV) measured via Electrocardiogram. |
| Perceived mysticality | Assessed after the 10-minute interventions. | Perceived mysticality assessed using the Mystical Experience Questionnaire-30 questionnaire. |
| User experience | Assessed after the 10-minute interventions. | Average user experience measured via visual analogue scales (VAS) on a computer. |
Countries
Switzerland
Contacts
CONTACTFabian Mueller, Msc
STUDY_CHAIRDominique de Quervain, Prof. MD
University of Basel, Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neuroscience
Outcome results
None listed