Acute Effect of Immersive VR Technology on Postural Control and Reaction Time in Young Adults

This study investigates the acute effects of short-term immersive virtual reality (VR) exposure on sensory organization and reaction time in young adults aged 18-25 years. It is designed as a randomized controlled trial. Participants are eligible if they provide written informed consent, complete all study questionnaires, are aged 18-25 years, are able to maintain an upright standing posture, have non-professional athletic status, have no neurological or psychiatric disorders, use a phone or computer for at least 1 hour per day, and do not take medication affecting the nervous system. Exclusion criteria include age outside the 18-25 range, pregnancy, disability, metal implants, epilepsy, inability to provide consent, frequent migraines, balance disorders, recent surgery or injury (within 6 months), uncorrected visual impairment, skin conditions or allergies preventing device use, acute illness on the day of testing, shift work causing circadian rhythm disruption, prior regular VR use, claustrophobia or anxiety related to enclosed spaces or simulated movement, and intensive physical activity within 24 hours before testing. Eligible participants are randomly allocated in a 1:1 ratio using sequentially numbered, sealed, opaque envelopes to either a VR intervention group or a control group. All participants are assessed at baseline and after a 20-minute interval. In the VR group, post-assessment is performed immediately after VR exposure, while in the control group it follows a matched resting period. All measurements are conducted by a single trained examiner at a similar time of day using a standardized protocol. Anthropometric measurements (height and body mass) are obtained barefoot using a medical scale (Charder MS4971, Taiwan), and body mass index (BMI) is calculated. Postural control and reaction time are assessed using computerized dynamic posturography with the NeuroCom Balance Manager system. Two standardized protocols are used: the Sensory Organization Te