The purpose of this study was to develop a novel mouth contactless breathing exercise solution based on virtual reality (VR), and to test its feasibility. Methods: We developed the Virtual Reality-based Breathing Exercise System (VR-BRES), a self-regulating biofeedback breathing exercise with gaming characteristics and a soft stretch sensor. The feasibility and efficacy of the VR-BRES prototype were investigated through a randomized crossover trial. Fifty healthy adults participated in the trial, and their respiratory parameters and user evaluation of the VR-BRES were compared with conventional deep breathing (CDB) exercises. Results: The respiratory parameters, forced vital capacity (Z ¼ 4.82, 4.95, p < .001), forced expiratory volume in one second (t ¼ 6.02, 6.26, p < .001), and peak expiratory flow (t ¼ 5.35, 5.68, p < .001) were significantly higher during breathing exercises using the VR-BRES. User evaluation was also significantly higher for the VR-BRES in terms of efficiency (Z ¼ 3.86, p < .001), entertainingness (Z ¼ 5.00, p < .001), and intention to use (Z ¼ 3.22, p ¼ .001) compared to CDB. However, there was no difference in convenience between the two methods (Z ¼ À0.90, p ¼ .369).
Conclusion:The VR-BRES has the potential to be an efficient breathing exercise solution. We recommend a clinical study that evaluates the effects of the VR-BRES for a certain period of time for people who need breathing exercises.
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