Virtual walking lifts spirits for those who cannot walk
NCT ID NCT07073144
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tested a 'Digital Strolling' program where people with severe mobility impairment use a virtual reality headset to walk in a digital world. 24 participants either used the VR walking or watched walking videos for 10 days. The goal was to see if this approach could improve depression and quality of life.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Virtual reality walking (digital strolling)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could offer a new way to improve mood and quality of life for people who cannot walk.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small, early feasibility study with only 24 participants, so results may not apply broadly. The intervention is short-term and effects may be modest.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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24 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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May 2025
- Finished
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Oct 2025
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 to 65 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Inability to walk 4 meters in less than 10 seconds without walking aids, or self-, proxy-, or medical-record-reported inability to walk independently across a small room (≈ 4 m), or dependence on a walking aid for more than 6 months * Minimum 6 months post-injury or disease onset * Able to communicate in Cantonese Exclusion Criteria: * Have severe cognitive impairment (a score \< 6 on the Abbreviated Mental Test) * Have severe mental illness (i.e., schizophrenia and major depression) * Have acute medical illness or exacerbation requiring hospital or intensive treatment; planned major surgery or inpatient rehabilitation during the study period * Currently engage in similar interventions
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
School of Nursing, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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