VR lets doctors walk in Patients' shoes to fight mental health stigma

NCT ID NCT07375199

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether a short virtual reality experience can reduce stigma toward people with schizophrenia among healthcare workers and students. Participants will watch two VR videos that simulate hallucinations and paranoid thoughts, then researchers measure changes in attitudes and biases. The goal is to see if immersive perspective-taking can foster empathy and reduce discrimination in healthcare settings.

What this could mean

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

Active substance

Virtual reality simulation of psychotic symptoms

What this could lead to

If it works, this could point toward a new training tool to reduce stigma and improve empathy among healthcare workers.

What could go wrong

This is an early-stage study with only 128 participants, and it measures attitudes rather than clinical outcomes. The effect may be small or not last long-term.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

schizophrenia Social Stigma

As listed by the trial registrant

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

Contacts and locations

Study contacts

  • Contact

    Email: •••••@•••••

  • Contact

    Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

Locations

  • Unité de Recherche Clinique (URC), Centre Hospitalier Henri Laborit

    Poitiers, 86000, France

    Contact Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••

    Contact