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

NCT ID NCT07375199

Not yet recruiting Knowledge-focused Sponsor: Centre Hospitalier Henri Laborit Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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.

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.

schizophrenia Social Stigma

As listed by the trial registrant

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

SCHIZOPHRENIA DISORDER

Contacts and locations

Locations

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

Poitiers, 86000, France

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