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primary studies published RCT

The effect of a 12-week tele-exercise using immersive virtual reality on functional capacity in adolescents with cystic fibrosis: A randomized controlled, single (assessor) - blind study.

  • Year: 2025
  • Date:
  • Author: Ozyemisci Taskiran O
Source

Respir Med. 2025 Nov;248:108362. doi: 10.1016/j.rmed.2025.108362. Epub 2025 Sep 20.

Study design (if review, criteria of inclusion for studies)

Randomized controlled study

Participants

Adolescents with cystic fibrosis (CF), clinically stable participants aged between 12 and 18 years

Interventions

Tele-exercise (TE), immersive virtual reality (VR). Patients were included and randomized to a VR-based tele-exercise (VR-TE) or a TE group. Exercises were conducted in groups of 6 participants for 30 min, 3 days/week for 12 weeks in both groups.

Outcome measures

6MWD, FEV(1), hand grip, shoulder flexor and knee extensor muscle strength, Cystic Fibrosis Questionnaire Revised (CFQ-R), physical activity enjoyment scale and system usability scale.

Main results

21 participants completed the study. Baseline pulmonary function tests, 6MWD, muscle strength, and CFQ-R scores were similar between groups. In the VR-TE group, post-training 6MWD was significantly higher than pre-training 6MWD (z = -2.93, p = 0.003). However, no statistical improvement was observed in pulmonary function, muscle strength, or quality of life. Feasibility, enjoyment, adherence, and adverse effects were similar between groups.

Authors' conclusions

Virtual reality and tele-exercise are feasible and motivating methods to facilitate the participation in exercise and improve functional capacity in adolescents with CF. Longer duration of VR-based exercise might be needed to improve muscle strength and quality of life.

Related topics

Exercise and physical training in cystic fibrosis

Keywords: Exercise; non pharmacological intervention - devices OR physiotherapy; Counseling; Psychoeducation; non pharmacological intervention - psyco-soc-edu-org; telemedicine; training;