A study into the effects of nature-based VR on movement-evoked pain timing
This study investigates how nature-based virtual reality (VR) environments affect how people react to movement-evoked pain, and whether using VR before, during or after pain leads to different psychological and physiological response profiles.
Longer Study Description
This study investigates how calming, nature-based virtual reality experiences influence psychological and physiological responses to short-term, movement-evoked muscle pain, aiming to understand how VR might support resilience, recovery, and comfort during physical activity.
The findings could contribute to improving rehabilitation approaches for people recovering from injury or managing persistent pain, helping them stay active with less discomfort, greater confidence and reduced fear.
By taking part, you鈥檒l not only support important scientific research but also have the opportunity to try immersive VR technology and learn more about how your own body and mood respond to exercise and soreness.
What will participants be doing?
If you take part, you will attend two sessions separated by 24-48 hours. Session 2 must be 24-48 hours after session 1.
Session 1: You will cycle on an indoor bike for 8 minutes whilst heart rate and performance are measured; complete eccentric leg strengthening exercises that will induce muscle-soreness in the 24-48 hour window following; plus pain pressure threshold testing, and some questionnaires to assess your thoughts and feelings.
Session 2: Whilst you have exercise-induced muscle soreness, you will repeat the cycling exercise from session 2 twice whilst wearing a virtual reality headset at some point, either during rest or during activity. Pain pressure threshold testing, heart rate and performance will be recorded, and short questionnaires to assess your thoughts and feelings.
Duration
Session 1 will take approximately 80 minutes and session two will take approximately 70 minutes. Session 2 must be 24-48 hours after session 1.
Location
Sessions will occur in either one of the two places mentioned below. This will be confirmed upon booking.
- Spinnaker Building, 海角视频, 2 Cambridge Road, 海角视频, PO1 2EF; #
OR
- King Henry Building, Henry I Street, 海角视频, PO1 2DY. This will be confirmed upon booking (they are very close to each other).
Apply
To register your interest please contact cheryl.williams@port.ac.uk.
If you are a psychology student please apply through the participant pool .
Participant characteristics:
- Aged 18 to 39
- Any gender
We are looking for any individuals who do not regularly (once a week) perform lower-body strength or resistance training, or those who have not consistently trained over the past 6 months, to ensure the muscle-soreness protocol is effective.
If you do regularly train your legs but are still interested in taking part, please feel free to get in touch to discuss your eligibility.
However, exclusions apply for current pain or injury, neurological, musculoskeletal, or cardiovascular conditions, severe motion sickness, medications that influence the heart rate, consumption of any psychoactive or analgesic medications in the 24 hours prior to experimentation, or if blood pressure appears abnormal.
Reward
Upon completion of both sessions, Psychology undergraduate students will receive 2.5 SONA credits and all others will receive 拢20.
Closing date
The study will close on 13 December 2026.
Contact
Cheryl Williams - cheryl.williams@port.ac.uk
Ethics code
SHFEC 2025 - 119