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Interactive Nature-Based Virtual Reality to Reduce Anxiety, Low Mood, and Feelings of Helplessness in Hospitalized Older Adults With Chronic Illness (Zenctuary VR+)
Sponsor: Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design
Summary
Prolonged hospitalization can reduce opportunities for independent activity, choice, and control and may contribute to passivity, low mood, anxiety, and distress in some older adults. Zenctuary VR+ is a seated, nature-based virtual reality program that combines calming environments with simple, low-demand activities. The active program allows participants to make choices, move between predefined locations, and influence elements of the virtual environment. Trained staff supervise every session and provide support when needed. The trial evaluates whether the interactive version of Zenctuary VR+ reduces psychological distress more than passive exposure to the same virtual environments. A total of 100 hospitalized adults aged 60 years or older will be randomly assigned to the interactive VR condition or the passive VR condition. Eligible participants are expected to remain hospitalized for at least four weeks following enrolment. Both groups will receive six sessions over three weeks. Psychological distress and related psychological factors will be assessed before the first session, immediately after the three-week intervention period, and four weeks after the final session.
Official title: Multicenter Randomized Controlled Trial Investigating the Psychological Effects of a Nature-Based VR Intervention in Multimorbid Elderly Patients - ZenctuaryVR+, Within the Framework of the HU-RIZONT International Excellence Research Collaboration Program
Key Details
Gender
All
Age Range
60 Years - Any
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Enrollment
100
Start Date
2026-11-01
Completion Date
2028-03-31
Last Updated
2026-07-21
Healthy Volunteers
No
Interventions
Interactive nature-based virtual reality intervention
An immersive, head-mounted-display-delivered virtual reality intervention presenting nature-based virtual environments with interactive, low cognitive load tasks. Participants make simple choices, navigate between virtual locations, and influence elements of the environment while seated, with the goal of supporting agency, perceived control, and successful action. Delivered in six sessions over three weeks (twice weekly), each guided by a trained operator using a standardized least-assistance approach.
Passive nature-based virtual reality exposure
An immersive, head-mounted-display-delivered virtual reality experience presenting the same nature-based virtual environments as the active intervention, without interactive elements. Participants passively observe the virtual scenery while seated, with no opportunity for choice, navigation, or environmental interaction. Delivered in six sessions over three weeks (twice weekly), matching the active intervention in schedule, apparatus, and visual content, differing only in the absence of interactivity.
Locations (3)
Center for Geriatric Care and Nursing Science (Semmelweis University)
Budapest, Hungary
Rehabilitation Clinic (Semmelweis University)
Budapest, Hungary
Department of Neurosurgery (University of Szeged)
Szeged, Hungary