Virtual bees and wasps may alter allergy immune responses — a trial puts it to the test
NCT ID NCT07721233
First seen Jul 23, 2026 · Last updated Jul 24, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This study tests whether immersive virtual reality (VR) exposure to bees or wasps can influence immune, brain, and body responses in adults with venom allergy. Participants will experience a realistic VR picnic scene where virtual insects approach and simulate a sting, while researchers measure changes in blood markers, heart rate, brain activity, and more. The goal is to better understand how the brain and immune system interact in allergy, and whether VR could one day support conventional allergy treatments.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- immersive virtual reality exposure to allergen-related stimuli
- What this could lead to
- If it works, this could point toward a new way to complement allergy treatments using virtual reality.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early exploratory study. It does not involve real insect exposure, so any immune changes seen may not translate to real-world allergic reactions.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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About 81 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Nov 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Oct 2030
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Accepted
You do not need to have the condition being studied to take part.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria * Age 18 years or older. * Able to understand the participant information and provide written informed consent. * Willing and able to comply with all study procedures. Part 1 - Healthy volunteers * No known bee or wasp venom allergy. * No current allergen immunotherapy or monoclonal antibody treatment. * No known active allergic, autoimmune, inflammatory, or immunodeficiency disorder requiring systemic treatment. Part 1 - Participants with bee or wasp venom allergy * Documented bee and/or wasp venom allergy based on medical history and/or routine allergy work-up. * No ongoing venom immunotherapy at the time of inclusion in Part 1. * No current monoclonal antibody treatment or systemic immunosuppressive treatment at the time of testing. Part 2 - Participants undergoing venom immunotherapy * Documented bee and/or wasp venom allergy based on medical history and/or routine allergy work-up. * Planned initiation of or ongoing treatment with standard-of-care venom immunotherapy. Exclusion Criteria * Absence of written informed consent. * Inability to understand the study information or provide informed consent. * Age younger than 18 years. * Current systemic immunosuppressive therapy. * Current monoclonal antibody treatment for an allergic, autoimmune, or inflammatory disease at the time of testing. * Ongoing allergen immunotherapy for allergies other than bee or wasp venom allergy. * Leukocyte count below 3.5 G/L. * Hemoglobin below approximately 120 g/L in women or below approximately 130 g/L in men. * Bee or wasp sting reaction within the previous 2 months. * Intolerance to virtual reality, as assessed during a preliminary interview
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The official record
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A doctor treating you
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