Executive Function (Cognition)NCT07916220
Virtual Reality Tennis Training and Executive Function in Older Adults
A study testing Immersive Virtual Reality-Based Tennis Training and Virtual Reality Documentary Viewing in people with Executive Function (Cognition) and Healthy Older Adults, run by Beijing Sport University at 1 site in China.
Trial summary
This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of a four-week immersive virtual reality (VR)-based tennis training program on executive function in healthy older adults. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 60 to 70 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Executive Function (Cognition), Healthy Older Adults
- What is being tested?
- Immersive Virtual Reality-Based Tennis Training and Virtual Reality Documentary Viewing
- Type of treatment
- Lifestyle or therapy programme
- Could I receive a placebo?
- No, everyone receives an active treatment
- How many people
- 39 participants
- Where
- 1 siteChina
- Study dates
- 9 May 2024to 18 Jun 2024
- 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 60 to 70 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
Who may be able to join
- Adults aged 60-70 years.
- In good general health.
- Normal cognitive function.
- No prior tennis experience.
- Able to understand and follow study instructions.
- No history of vertigo and no hospitalization within the previous year.
- Willing to participate and provide written informed consent.
Who cannot join
- Cognitive impairment.
- Neurological disorders, including cerebellar or vestibular disorders.
- Physical disabilities, joint pain, or other physical conditions that may interfere with participation in VR tennis training.
- Inability to complete the intervention or study assessments.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
About this study
Official title: Effects of a 5-Week Virtual Reality Tennis Game Intervention on Executive Function in Healthy Older Adults
This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of a four-week immersive virtual reality (VR)-based tennis training program on executive function in healthy older adults. Forty-five adults aged 60-70 years with no previous tennis experience were screened, and 39 eligible participants were randomly assigned to either a VR tennis training group (n = 20) or a VR documentary-viewing control group (n = 19). Thirty-eight participants completed the study (VR tennis group, n = 20; documentary-viewing group, n = 18). The VR tennis group completed tennis training using an HTC Vive head-mounted display and a VR tennis game, while the control group watched VR documentaries using an HTC Vive head-mounted display without engaging in tennis training. Both groups participated in three sessions per week for four weeks. Executive function was assessed at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and one week after the intervention using the Flanker task (inhibitory control), the More-Odd shifting task (cognitive flexibility), and the Corsi block-tapping task (visuospatial working memory). The study compared changes in these executive function measures between the VR tennis training group and the VR documentary-viewing control group.
- Being tested
- Immersive Virtual Reality-Based Tennis Training, Virtual Reality Documentary Viewing
- Keywords
- Virtual Reality, Tennis, Older Adults, executive function
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Immersive Virtual Reality-Based Tennis TrainingBehavioural
Participants completed immersive virtual reality-based tennis training using an HTC Vive headset and a tennis game. Training was conducted three times per week for four weeks.
Virtual Reality Documentary ViewingBehavioural
Participants in the control group watched documentaries in a virtual reality environment using an HTC Vive head-mounted display. The intervention was conducted three times per week for four weeks. Participants viewed VR documentaries without engaging in tennis training. Executive function was assessed at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and one week after the intervention.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| VR Tennis Training Group | Experimental | Not described Receives: Behavioral: Immersive Virtual Reality-Based Tennis Training |
| VR Documentary Viewing Control Group | Active comparator | Not described Receives: Behavioral: Virtual Reality Documentary Viewing |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Inhibitory Control Assessed by Flanker Task Reaction Time
Reaction time (ms) for correct responses on congruent and incongruent trials of the Flanker task. Shorter reaction times indicate faster responses.
Measured: Baseline, immediately after the 4-week intervention, and 1 week after the intervention.
Cognitive Flexibility Assessed by the Number of Correct Responses on the More-Odd Shifting Task
The number of correct responses on the More-Odd shifting task. Higher numbers of correct responses indicate better task performance.
Measured: Baseline, immediately after the 4-week intervention, and 1 week after the intervention.
Cognitive Flexibility Assessed by More-Odd Shifting Task Reaction Time
Reaction time (ms) on the More-Odd Shifting task. Shorter reaction times indicate faster responses. Accuracy and reaction time are considered separate outcome measures.
Measured: Baseline, immediately after the 4-week intervention, and 1 week after the intervention.
Visuospatial Working Memory Assessed by Corsi Block-Tapping Task Block Span
Block Span is defined as the length of the last sequence correctly reproduced by the participant. Higher scores indicate better visuospatial working memory.
Measured: Baseline, immediately after the 4-week intervention, and 1 week after the intervention.
Visuospatial Working Memory Assessed by Corsi Block-Tapping Task Total Score
The Total Score was calculated as the product of the Block Span (the length of the last correctly reproduced sequence) and the total number of correctly reproduced sequences (correct trials) before the test was discontinued. Higher scores indicate better visuospatial working memory.
Measured: Baseline, immediately after the 4-week intervention, and 1 week after the intervention.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted4 Nov 2026
- Study start9 May 2024
- Primary completion18 Jun 2024
- Study completion18 Jun 2024
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Executive Function (Cognition)Studies of the same condition, open and under way.
- 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
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 39 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Beijing Sport University
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07916220
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- BSU-VRT-EF-01
- Status last verified
- Oct 2026
- First submitted
- 29 Oct 2026
- Last updated
- 4 Nov 2026
- Results posted
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 4 Nov 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Effects of a 5-Week Virtual Reality Tennis Game Intervention on Executive Function in Healthy Older Adults
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07916220
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- BSU-VRT-EF-01
- Keywords
- Virtual Reality, Tennis, Older Adults, executive function
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Completed
- Enrolment
- 39 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Beijing Sport UniversityUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 9 May 2024 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 18 Jun 2024 (actual)
- Study completion
- 18 Jun 2024 (actual)
- First posted
- 4 Nov 2026 (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.
This randomized controlled trial investigated the effects of a four-week immersive virtual reality (VR)-based tennis training program on executive function in healthy older adults. Forty-five adults aged 60-70 years with no previous tennis experience were screened, and 39 eligible participants were randomly assigned to either a VR tennis training group (n = 20) or a VR documentary-viewing control group (n = 19). Thirty-eight participants completed the study (VR tennis group, n = 20; documentary-viewing group, n = 18). The VR tennis group completed tennis training using an HTC Vive head-mounted display and a VR tennis game, while the control group watched VR documentaries using an HTC Vive head-mounted display without engaging in tennis training. Both groups participated in three sessions per week for four weeks. Executive function was assessed at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and one week after the intervention using the Flanker task (inhibitory control), the More-Odd shifting task (cognitive flexibility), and the Corsi block-tapping task (visuospatial working memory). The study compared changes in these executive function measures between the VR tennis training group and the VR documentary-viewing control group.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Other
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 2
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| VR Tennis Training Group | Experimental | Behavioral: Immersive Virtual Reality-Based Tennis Training |
| VR Documentary Viewing Control Group | Active comparator | Behavioral: Virtual Reality Documentary Viewing |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 60 to 70 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Key inclusion criteria (7 listed)
- Adults aged 60-70 years.
- In good general health.
- Normal cognitive function.
- No prior tennis experience.
- Able to understand and follow study instructions.
Key exclusion criteria (4 listed)
- Cognitive impairment.
- Neurological disorders, including cerebellar or vestibular disorders.
- Physical disabilities, joint pain, or other physical conditions that may interfere with participation in VR tennis training.
- Inability to complete the intervention or study assessments.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Immersive Virtual Reality-Based Tennis TrainingParticipants completed immersive virtual reality-based tennis training using an HTC Vive headset and a tennis game. Training was conducted three times per week for four weeks. | Behavioural | VR Tennis Training Group |
| Virtual Reality Documentary ViewingParticipants in the control group watched documentaries in a virtual reality environment using an HTC Vive head-mounted display. The intervention was conducted three times per week for four weeks. Participants viewed VR documentaries without engaging in tennis training. Executive function was assessed at baseline, immediately after the intervention, and one week after the intervention. | Behavioural | VR Documentary Viewing Control Group |
Primary outcome
Inhibitory Control Assessed by Flanker Task Reaction Time
Time frame: Baseline, immediately after the 4-week intervention, and 1 week after the intervention.
Reaction time (ms) for correct responses on congruent and incongruent trials of the Flanker task. Shorter reaction times indicate faster responses.
Cognitive Flexibility Assessed by the Number of Correct Responses on the More-Odd Shifting Task
Time frame: Baseline, immediately after the 4-week intervention, and 1 week after the intervention.
The number of correct responses on the More-Odd shifting task. Higher numbers of correct responses indicate better task performance.
Cognitive Flexibility Assessed by More-Odd Shifting Task Reaction Time
Time frame: Baseline, immediately after the 4-week intervention, and 1 week after the intervention.
Reaction time (ms) on the More-Odd Shifting task. Shorter reaction times indicate faster responses. Accuracy and reaction time are considered separate outcome measures.
Visuospatial Working Memory Assessed by Corsi Block-Tapping Task Block Span
Time frame: Baseline, immediately after the 4-week intervention, and 1 week after the intervention.
Block Span is defined as the length of the last sequence correctly reproduced by the participant. Higher scores indicate better visuospatial working memory.
Visuospatial Working Memory Assessed by Corsi Block-Tapping Task Total Score
Time frame: Baseline, immediately after the 4-week intervention, and 1 week after the intervention.
The Total Score was calculated as the product of the Block Span (the length of the last correctly reproduced sequence) and the total number of correctly reproduced sequences (correct trials) before the test was discontinued. Higher scores indicate better visuospatial working memory.
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 4 Nov 2026.
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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.
The record lists no contact. Use the official record to reach the sponsor.
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Immersive Virtual Reality-Based Tennis Training and Virtual Reality Documentary Viewing in people with Executive Function (Cognition) and Healthy Older Adults, run by Beijing Sport University at 1 site in China.
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 7 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 4 Nov 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 China. 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?
Inhibitory Control Assessed by Flanker Task Reaction Time (time frame: Baseline, immediately after the 4-week intervention, and 1 week after the intervention.). The study lists 5 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 4 Nov 2026.