VR headset vs. dummy: which trains future doctors better for ECT?
NCT ID NCT07350278
First seen Feb 01, 2026 · Last updated Jun 23, 2026 · Updated 14 times
Summary
This study compares virtual reality (VR) simulation to traditional mannequin-based training for teaching medical students how to perform electroconvulsive therapy (ECT). 78 medical students with no prior ECT training will be randomly assigned to practice with either a VR simulator or a mannequin. The goal is to see if VR training is as effective as the standard method for building ECT skills.
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the original study
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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.
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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Contacts and locations
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Study contacts
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
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Contact
Phone: •••-•••-•••• Email: •••••@•••••
Locations
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Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Toronto, Ontario, M4N 3M5, Canada
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
What this could lead to
If successful, this could show that VR is a practical and effective tool for training medical students in ECT, potentially reducing costs and increasing access to training.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early-stage educational study (78 participants) that only measures skill acquisition in a controlled setting, not real patient outcomes. The VR training may not translate to better real-world performance.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.