Health-Related BehaviorNCT07310017
Yoga With and Without VR for Core, Balance, and Stress in University Students
A study testing Yoga and Virtual Reality in people with Health-Related Behavior, run by Istinye University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
Trial summary
The present study aims to investigate the combined and comparative effects of yoga exercise performed with and without virtual reality (VR) support on stress levels, core stabilization, and balance in university students aged 18-30. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 30 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Health-Related Behavior
- What is being tested?
- Yoga and Virtual Reality
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 32 participants
- Where
- 1 siteTurkey (Türkiye)
- Study dates
- 19 Jun 2025to 11 Jun 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- None posted in the registry
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 30 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- University student aged 18-30
- Moderate-to-high perceived stress levels (DASS-21)
- No contraindications for yoga or VR use
Who cannot join
- Diagnosed psychological conditions requiring treatment
- Musculoskeletal limitations that prevent participation
- Use of medications affecting stress
- Current participation in structured stress-reduction programs
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
Turkey (Türkiye)1 site
Fizyoterapi ve Rehabilitasyon Uygulama ve Araștırma Merkezi (İSÜFİZYOTEM)
Istanbul, Zeytinburnu, 34010
About this study
Official title: The Effects of Yoga Exercises With and Without Virtual Reality on Core Stabilization, Balance, and Stress in University Students
The present study aims to investigate the combined and comparative effects of yoga exercise performed with and without virtual reality (VR) support on stress levels, core stabilization, and balance in university students aged 18-30. Participants will be screened using validated stress assessment tools to ensure inclusion of individuals with moderate to high perceived stress. Eligible participants will then be randomly assigned to one of two groups:(1) a virtual reality yoga group (VRYG), in which yoga sessions are delivered through immersive VR environments with therapist-guided breathing and movement instruction; and (2) a Traditional Yoga Group (TYG), in which the same therapist will give the same breathing and movement instructions without VR.
Both groups will undergo 12 supervised sessions over a period of four weeks (three sessions per week, each lasting 30 minutes). The intervention protocol includes a structured series of yoga postures designed to target trunk stability, flexibility, and balance, along with breathing techniques such as diaphragmatic breathing and the 4-7-8 method to promote relaxation and stress reduction. The VR group will perform these exercise within calming, immersive virtual environments,while the control group will perform them in a quite,well-lit physical space.
Outcome measures will be collected at baseline and after completion of the intervention. Psychological stress will be evaluated using the Depression, anxiety, and stress scale (DASS-21) with a focus on the stress sub-scale.Physiological indicators, including heart rate and blood pressure will be recorded at rest. Core stabilization will be assessed through plank and side-plank endurance tests, while balance will be evaluated using both static (single-leg stance) and dynamic (Y-Balance Test) protocols. These measures will allow for a comprehensive analysis of the intervention's effects on both mental and physical domains of health.
- Conditions
- Health-Related Behavior
- Being tested
- Yoga, Virtual Reality
- Keywords
- Mind-body intervention, Immersive therapy, Breathing exercise, Relaxation
- Medical subject headings
- Health Behavior
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
YogaOther
A structured yoga program designed to improve core stability, postura balance, and stress management. The traditional yoga sessions will focus on breathing control, static and dynamic postures, and progressive muscles engagements. Each session last 30 minutes it's supervised by a physiotherapist, and takes place in a quiet room to minimise external distractions.
Virtual RealityOther
The VR environment will be created by the MetaQuest 2 which is a immersive virtual realty headset. During the application, the environment will be chosen by the participants among pre-decided virtual environments, such as forest or ocean. According to the environment, the objects around the participants will move with their sounds. The sounds will be only related to the environment like the bird sound, waterfall sound or the wave sound. There is no instruction in the environment.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Reality Yoga Group | Experimental | Not described Receives: Other: Yoga; Other: Virtual Reality |
| Traditional Yoga Group | Active comparator | Not described Receives: Other: Yoga |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Stress level Balance performance(Y-balanced test)
Stress will be measured by the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) - Stress Subscale
The DASS-21 Stress Subscale evaluates the participants' perceived stress levels over the past week. It consists of seven items rated on a 4-point scale ranging from 0 ("Did not apply to me at all") to 3 ("Applied to me very much or most of the time"). The stress subscale focuses on symptoms such as difficulty relaxing, nervous tension, irritability, and feeling easily upset.
Total scores are calculated by summing the item scores and multiplying by two to obtain a standardized value. Higher scores indicate greater stress levels. This assessment was used to determine the changes in stress levels before and after the intervention.
Measured: Through study completion, an average of 1 month
Heart rate
Heart rate (beats per minute/bpm) will be measured to assess the physiological stress response. Measurements will be taken using a digital heart rate monitor while participants are seated comfortably. Each participant rested for five minutes prior to the measurement to ensure accuracy. The heart rate will be recorded three times at one-minute intervals, and the average of the three readings will be used for analysis. A decrease in post-intervention heart rate indicates improved relaxation and reduced physiological stress.
Measured: Through study completion, an average of 1 month
Blood pressure
Systolic and Diastolic blood pressure (in mmHg) will be assessed to evaluate cardiovascular responses associated with stress and relaxation. Measurements will be taken using an automatic digital sphygmomanometer on the participant's dominant arm while seated. Participants rested for at least five minutes before the first reading. Three consecutive readings will be obtained, and the average of the systolic and diastolic values will be calculated for analysis. Lower post-intervention readings reflect improved cardiovascular regulation and reduced stress levels.
Measured: Through study completion, an average of 1 month
Secondary outcomes (4)
Core Stabilization-Plank
Core stability was assessed using the plank and side plank endurance tests, which measure the ability of trunk muscles to maintain a neutral spine position against gravity.
Plank test: Participants support their body on forearms and toes, maintaining a straight line from head to heels. The duration (second) that the position is held is recorded. The test will be repeated three times with rest intervals, and the mean duration will be used for analysis. Longer holding times indicate better core endurance and stabilization.
Measured: Through study completion, an average of 1 month
Core Stabilization-Side Plank
Core stability was assessed using the plank and side plank endurance tests, which measure the ability of trunk muscles to maintain a neutral spine position against gravity.
Side plank test: Participants rest on one forearm and the side of one foot while keeping the body aligned. The duration (seconds) maintained on each side is recorded. The test will be repeated three times with rest intervals, and the mean duration will be used for analysis. Longer holding times indicate better core endurance and stabilization.
Measured: Through study completion, an average of 1 month
Static balance
Static balance will be evaluated using the single-leg stance test, which measures postural control and neuromuscular coordination. Participants will stand on one leg without support, arms by their sides, and eyes closed. The time (seconds) until balance is lost or the raised foot touches the ground is recorded.
Each leg will be tested three times with short rest intervals, and the best time for each leg is used in the analysis. Longer durations indicate superior static balance ability.
Measured: Through study completion, an average of 1 month
Dynamic balance
Dynamic balance will be measured using the Y-Balance Test (YBT), which assesses the participant's ability to maintain postural control while reaching in multiple directions.
Participants stand barefoot on one leg at the center of a Y-shaped grid and extend the opposite leg in three directions-anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral-without losing balance.
The distance reached in each direction is measured in centimeters and normalized to leg length using the following written formula:
Composite Score Percentage (%) equals the sum of the three reach distances (anterior, posteromedial, and posterolateral) divided by three times the leg length, then multiplied by one hundred.
Higher composite scores reflect better dynamic balance and neuromuscular control.
Measured: Through study completion, an average of 1 month
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted30 Dec 2025
- Study start19 Jun 2025
- Primary completion11 Jun 2026
- Study completion11 Jun 2026
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Health-Related BehaviorStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Istinye UniversityThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind
- Who is masked
- Investigator
- Enrolment
- 32 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Istinye University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Çiçek Günday, Istinye University
- Investigators
- Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Çiçek Günday, Asst. Prof., Principal investigator, Istinye University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07310017
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 25-38
- Status last verified
- Jun 2026
- First submitted
- 26 Nov 2025
- Last updated
- 16 Jun 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 16 Jun 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- The Effects of Yoga Exercises With and Without Virtual Reality on Core Stabilization, Balance, and Stress in University Students
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07310017
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- 25-38
- Conditions
- Health-Related Behavior
- Keywords
- Mind-body intervention, Immersive therapy, Breathing exercise, Relaxation
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 32 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Istinye UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 19 Jun 2025 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 11 Jun 2026 (actual)
- Study completion
- 11 Jun 2026 (actual)
- First posted
- 30 Dec 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
The present study aims to investigate the combined and comparative effects of yoga exercise performed with and without virtual reality (VR) support on stress levels, core stabilization, and balance in university students aged 18-30. Participants will be screened using validated stress assessment tools to ensure inclusion of individuals with moderate to high perceived stress. Eligible participants will then be randomly assigned to one of two groups:(1) a virtual reality yoga group (VRYG), in which yoga sessions are delivered through immersive VR environments with therapist-guided breathing and movement instruction; and (2) a Traditional Yoga Group (TYG), in which the same therapist will give the same breathing and movement instructions without VR.
Both groups will undergo 12 supervised sessions over a period of four weeks (three sessions per week, each lasting 30 minutes). The intervention protocol includes a structured series of yoga postures designed to target trunk stability, flexibility, and balance, along with breathing techniques such as diaphragmatic breathing and the 4-7-8 method to promote relaxation and stress reduction. The VR group will perform these exercise within calming, immersive virtual environments,while the control group will perform them in a quite,well-lit physical space.
Outcome measures will be collected at baseline and after completion of the intervention. Psychological stress will be evaluated using the Depression, anxiety, and stress scale (DASS-21) with a focus on the stress sub-scale.Physiological indicators, including heart rate and blood pressure will be recorded at rest. Core stabilization will be assessed through plank and side-plank endurance tests, while balance will be evaluated using both static (single-leg stance) and dynamic (Y-Balance Test) protocols. These measures will allow for a comprehensive analysis of the intervention's effects on both mental and physical domains of health.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Supportive care
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- Single blind (investigator)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Virtual Reality Yoga Group | Experimental | Other: Yoga, Other: Virtual Reality |
| Traditional Yoga Group | Active comparator | Other: Yoga |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 30 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (3 listed)
- University student aged 18-30
- Moderate-to-high perceived stress levels (DASS-21)
- No contraindications for yoga or VR use
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Diagnosed psychological conditions requiring treatment
- Musculoskeletal limitations that prevent participation
- Use of medications affecting stress
- Current participation in structured stress-reduction programs
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| YogaA structured yoga program designed to improve core stability, postura balance, and stress management. The traditional yoga sessions will focus on breathing control, static and dynamic postures, and progressive muscles engagements. Each session last 30 minutes it's supervised by a physiotherapist, and takes place in a quiet room to minimise external distractions. | Other | Traditional Yoga Group, Virtual Reality Yoga Group |
| Virtual RealityThe VR environment will be created by the MetaQuest 2 which is a immersive virtual realty headset. During the application, the environment will be chosen by the participants among pre-decided virtual environments, such as forest or ocean. According to the environment, the objects around the participants will move with their sounds. The sounds will be only related to the environment like the bird sound, waterfall sound or the wave sound. There is no instruction in the environment. | Other | Virtual Reality Yoga Group |
Primary outcome
Stress level Balance performance(Y-balanced test)
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 month
Stress will be measured by the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) - Stress Subscale The DASS-21 Stress Subscale evaluates the participants' perceived stress levels over the past week. It consists of seven items rated on a 4-point scale ranging from 0 ("Did not apply to me at all") to 3 ("Applied to me very much or most of the time"). The stress subscale focuses on symptoms such as difficulty relaxing, nervous tension, irritability, and feeling easily upset. Total scores are calculated by summing the item scores and multiplying by two to obtain a standardized value. Higher scores indicate greater stress levels. This assessment was used to determine the changes in stress levels before and after the intervention.
Heart rate
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 month
Heart rate (beats per minute/bpm) will be measured to assess the physiological stress response. Measurements will be taken using a digital heart rate monitor while participants are seated comfortably. Each participant rested for five minutes prior to the measurement to ensure accuracy. The heart rate will be recorded three times at one-minute intervals, and the average of the three readings will be used for analysis. A decrease in post-intervention heart rate indicates improved relaxation and reduced physiological stress.
Blood pressure
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 month
Systolic and Diastolic blood pressure (in mmHg) will be assessed to evaluate cardiovascular responses associated with stress and relaxation. Measurements will be taken using an automatic digital sphygmomanometer on the participant's dominant arm while seated. Participants rested for at least five minutes before the first reading. Three consecutive readings will be obtained, and the average of the systolic and diastolic values will be calculated for analysis. Lower post-intervention readings reflect improved cardiovascular regulation and reduced stress levels.
4 secondary outcomes
Core Stabilization-Plank
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 month
Core Stabilization-Side Plank
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 month
Static balance
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 month
Dynamic balance
Time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 month
Results and safety
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 16 Jun 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: No
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Dr. Öğr. Üyesi Çiçek Günday, Asst. Prof. principal investigator
Istinye University, Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Yoga and Virtual Reality in people with Health-Related Behavior, run by Istinye University at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye).
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 3 inclusion and 4 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 16 Jun 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Stress level Balance performance(Y-balanced test) (time frame: Through study completion, an average of 1 month). The study lists 3 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 16 Jun 2026.