Virtual reality may ease the pain of letting go for hoarders
NCT ID NCT07160543
First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026
Summary
This study tested whether using a computer-based virtual reality program could help people feel less anxious about discarding personal belongings. 80 adults from the general population were asked to imagine or virtually see themselves throwing away an item. Researchers measured changes in anxiety and mood. The goal is to see if this approach could be a useful tool for treating hoarding disorder.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Non-immersive Virtual Reality Exposure (computer-based VR)
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a new, low-cost therapy to help people with hoarding disorder practice discarding items in a safe, virtual setting.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very early, small study in a non-clinical sample, not people diagnosed with hoarding disorder. The virtual reality was non-immersive (desktop only), which may limit its real-world impact.
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
-
University of Padova
Padua, PD, Italy
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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