Virtual reality goggles could make ketamine therapy more comfortable

NCT ID NCT06139016

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: Yale University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 29, 2026 · Last updated Jul 31, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This study explores whether virtual reality goggles and noise-cancelling headphones can make ketamine/esketamine treatment for depression more tolerable and effective. Participants receive a single treatment while immersed in a relaxing virtual environment. The goal is to see if controlling what patients see and hear during the infusion improves their experience and outcomes.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: ketamine/esketamine
What this could lead to: If it works, this could point toward a way to make ketamine/esketamine treatment more comfortable and effective for people with depression.
What could go wrong: This is a very small, early study with only 7 participants, so results may not apply widely. The virtual reality setup might not improve tolerability or effectiveness as hoped.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

Depression depressive disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

DEPRESSION

Contacts and locations

Locations

Yale Psychiatry Hospital Interventional Psychiatry Services (IPS) unit

New Haven, Connecticut, 06520, United States

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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.