VR vs Treadmill Exercise in Children With Asthma

Conditions studied

Asthma (Diagnosis)

About this study

This study aims to compare the effects of virtual reality-based aerobic exercise and treadmill-based aerobic exercise on functional capacity, pulmonary function, and clinical outcomes in children with asthma. Participants aged 10-17 years with physician-diagnosed asthma will be randomly assigned to either a virtual reality-based exercise group or a treadmill exercise group. Both groups will undergo supervised exercise training sessions twice a week for 8 weeks. Primary outcome will be the 6-Minute Walk Test. Secondary outcomes include pulmonary function, respiratory muscle strength, asthma control, quality of life, and exercise adherence.

Interventions

• Device: Virtual Reality-Based Aerobic Exercise — Participants will perform supervised moderate-intensity aerobic exercise using a Meta Quest 3S virtual reality headset and game-based activities. Each session will include a 5-minute warm-up period, 30 minutes of aerobic exercise, and a 5-minute cool-down period. Sessions will be conducted twice weekly for 8 week
• Behavioral: Treadmill-Based Aerobic Exercise — Participants will perform supervised moderate-intensity treadmill-based aerobic exercise. Each session will include a 5-minute warm-up period, 30 minutes of aerobic exercise, and a 5-minute cool-down period. Sessions will be conducted twice weekly for 8 weeks.

Primary outcomes

• Functional Capacity: 6-Minute Walk Test Distance (Baseline and Week 8)

Eligibility information

Study locations

• Bezmialem Vakif University, Istanbul, Eyupsultan Turkey (Türkiye)