Using Gamified Virtual Reality to Improve Emotional Regulation in Children and Adolescents Aged 10 to 16

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are investigating the use of a gamified immersive virtual reality IVR program called Enhance VR to improve emotional regulation ER skills and reduce anxiety and depressive symptoms in children and adolescents aged 10 to 16 years. This trial focuses on how executive functions like cognitive flexibility, working memory, and inhibition contribute to ER development and aims to explore the potential benefits of VR cognitive training as a preventive mental health intervention. Participants will be randomly assigned to one of two groups an experimental group receiving VR cognitive training through six games targeting specific cognitive functions such as planning, reappraisal strategies, attention, and processing speed or a control group experiencing relaxation exercises within ten nature-based VR environments. Both groups will undergo their respective VR sessions twice a week for 30 minutes over five weeks. Throughout the study, participants will complete validated assessments at baseline and after five weeks to measure depressive and anxiety symptoms, emotion regulation, executive function, attention, and usability of the VR experience. Researchers will also monitor cybersickness symptoms after each session. This single-blind study aims to provide insights into the effectiveness of gamified VR cognitive training to support mental health and emotional skills in young people.

E-Emotio Project A Gamified Preventive School-based Paradigm Using Virtual Reality Technologies for Improving Emotional Regulation in Children and Adolescents.