Abstract
GNYACSM Original Research Abstract
Combining Home Exercise, Fitbit Tracking, and Virtual Reality Mindfulness to
Reduce Stress and Improve Cardiometabolic Health: A Physical Therapy Student
Research Experience
SHARON A MARTINO, KELLY A WARREN, ANTHONY DICRESCENTO, JOHN CALISI, MEHRAN
MOHAMMAD, STEFANIE GERA, ASHLEY YOUSEFFI, GABRIELLE LEWIN, STEVEN GENGO
Rehabilitation Research and Movement Performance Laboratory; Stony Brook University; Stony
Brook, NEW YORK
Category: Graduate
Advisor / Mentor: Martino, Sharon (Sharon.martino@stonybrook.edu)
ABSTRACT
Student engagement in research is critical to developing evidence-based practice and critical thinking skills in PT education.
Student-driven research fosters independence, collaboration, and a deeper understanding of the scientific process,
preparing future clinicians to integrate research into practice.
PURPOSE: To evaluate the feasibility and effects of a home exercise program, enhanced with Fitbit monitoring and
immersive virtual reality (VR) mindfulness sessions, on reducing stress and improving cardiometabolic health in students
who identified as being “stressed” (Perceived Stress Scale [PSS] Score >10).
METHODS: As part of an independent study, Physical Therapy students developed research questions, hypotheses, and
study protocols, obtained Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, and standardized intervention and testing procedures.
Participants (n=60) completed a six-week, home-based walking and mindfulness program using Fitbit devices to monitor
activity and sleep, and immersive VR sessions for stress management. Outcome measures included perceived stress scale
(PSS), mindfulness (Five Facet Mindfulness Scale), blood pressure, heart rate variability, cortisol and c-reactive protein,
cardiovascular endurance, and body composition. Study data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics
(SPSS and Python).
RESULTS: Preliminary findings demonstrated acute reductions in PSS (p< 0.05) and improvements in mindfulness (p
0.05) following VR. Select cardiometabolic outcomes showed improvements. Participants reported high engagement and
satisfaction with the technology-assisted intervention. Collaboration among physical therapy students, and faculty and peers
from clinical laboratory science, psychology, applied health informatics, and biomedical engineering further enriched the
research experience by broadening interdisciplinary knowledge and enhancing problem-solving skills.
CONCLUSION: The project provided valuable hands-on research training while supporting the feasibility of combining
physical activity tracking and VR mindfulness to improve health outcomes. This experience strengthened students’
competencies in clinical research design, data analysis, and evidence-based physical therapy practice.
Recommended Citation
Martino, Sharon A.; Warren, Kelly; Calisi, John; Dicrescento, Anthony; Mohamad, Mehran; Lewin, Gabrielle; Gera, Stefanie; Youseffi, Ashley; and Gengo, Steven
(2025)
"Combining Home Exercise, Fitbit Tracking, and Virtual Reality Mindfulness to Reduce Stress and Improve Cardiometabolic Health: A Physical Therapy Student Research Experience,"
International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 15:
Iss.
7, Article 33.
Available at:
https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol15/iss7/33