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Immersive Virtual Reality Applied to Therapeutic Physical Exercise in Cellular Therapy
Sponsor: Fundacin Biomedica Galicia Sur
Summary
Cell therapy (CT), including hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and advanced CAR T-cell therapies, is used for the treatment of oncohematological and other diseases. HSCT is associated with treatment-related toxicities, including fatigue, muscle weakness, and reduced functional capacity due to intensive conditioning chemotherapy, immunosuppressive treatments, corticosteroids, and complications such as infections or graft-versus-host disease. Emotional symptoms, including anxiety, depression, fear, and frustration, also affect patients' recovery and ability to regain functional independence. Evidence indicates that exercise interventions improve emotional well-being, fatigue, quality of life, physical function, cardiovascular fitness, and muscle mass in patients with hematological malignancies and HSCT recipients. Virtual reality (VR) has emerged as an innovative tool in rehabilitation, supporting patient motivation, exercise guidance, and monitoring. Immersive virtual reality (IVR), through head-mounted displays and multisensory environments, enhances the sense of presence and engagement. Studies suggest that IVR-based exercise programs are feasible, improving functional abilities, quality of life, satisfaction, and adherence. Since 2017, a Therapeutic Exercise program for patients admitted for HSCT has been implemented at Álvaro Cunqueiro Hospital (Vigo) through collaboration between the Physiotherapy Unit and the Hematology Department. Before admission, patients undergo a physical assessment, receive an individualized exercise plan, education, and a therapeutic exercise guide. Based on clinical experience, the team hypothesizes that integrating IVR into therapeutic exercise may improve motivation, adherence, and emotional well-being during hospitalization.
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
18 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
144
Start Date
2026-09-15
Completion Date
2029-06-01
Last Updated
2026-09-02
Healthy Volunteers
No
Conditions
Interventions
Intervention with IVR
The RVI intervention program will consist of the following phases: * Phase 1: Exposure to introductory scenarios and use of the RVI software and hardware, adaptation to virtual environments, observation of passive scenarios aimed at emotional balance, and interactive scenarios involving general mobility and neuromuscular activation. Week 1. * Phase 2: Progression towards tasks that improve response times and attentional mechanisms. Starting in week 2. * Phase 3: More complex multicomponent physical exercise based on boxing techniques, movements of the upper limbs, trunk, head, and lower limbs, coordination exercises, and cyclical cardiovascular exercise.
Control
Intervention based on the standard treatment program of activities of routine clinical practice: Breathing exercises, resistance exercises with and without weights and aerobic exercises.
Locations (1)
Hospital Álvaro Cunqueiro (Vigo)
Vigo, Pontevedra, Spain