The impact of a workplace virtual reality-delivered exercise program on central hemodynamics in people with developmental disability living in Australia: A pilot randomised waitlist-controlled study

Abstract

Objectives

Abnormalities of central hemodynamic indices (CHI) elevate risk of cardiovascular events (CVE) and all-cause mortality. Most people with developmental disability do not meet the exercise recommendations necessary to improve health outcomes, including CHI. The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the impact of a workplace integrated virtual reality-delivered exercise (VR-E) program compared with no intervention on CHI in people with developmental disability.

Methods

Seventeen people with developmental disability employed at a disability service were randomised into VR-E (n = 8) or waitlist-control (n = 9). The VR-E group completed a 1-h supervised session at the workplace, three times/week for eight weeks. Following an eight-week period, the waitlist-control group also underwent the program. CHI were assessed at pre- and post-intervention via cuff oscillometry.

Results

There are 21 complete CHI data (VR-E, n = 13; waitlist-control, n = 8) from pre- to post-8-week period. There were no significant between-group differences in CHI changes from pre- to post-8-week period (p > 0.05). However, although not statistically significant between-groups (augmentation index at 75 beats per minute [AIx75], p = 0.7; forward pressure wave [Pfw], p = 0.6; backward pressure wave [Pbw], p = 0.7), the VR-E group showed a small improvement in CHI including AIx75 (−4 ± 11 %, d = 0.23), Pfw (−1.5 ± 8 mmHg,d = 0.18), and Pbw (−0.7 ± 5 mmHg,d = 0.25). Whereas the waitlist-control group showed negligible changes in these CHI (AIx75, −1 ± 19 %, d = 0.06; Pf, 0.5 ± 4 mmHg, d < 0.01; Pb, <0.01 ± 4 mmHg, d < 0.01) from pre- to post-study.

Conclusions

This pilot study suggests that a workplace-integrated VR-E may be a viable intervention to improve CHI, which may indicate reduced CVE risk and all-cause mortality in people with developmental disability.