VR headset vs. pills: which beats social anxiety in teens?

NCT ID NCT07192367

Recruiting now Symptom relief Sponsor: Emine Kanmaz Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 2 times

Summary

This study compares two treatments for social anxiety in adolescents and young adults: virtual reality exposure therapy and the medication sertraline. Fifty-six participants will be randomly assigned to either VR sessions that simulate anxiety-provoking social situations or daily sertraline pills. The goal is to see which approach reduces anxiety symptoms and improves daily life more effectively.

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 Exposure Therapy and Sertraline
What this could lead to: If successful, this could show that virtual reality therapy is as good as or better than medication for treating social anxiety in teens.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-phase study with only 56 participants, so results may not apply to everyone. The virtual reality approach may not work for all types of social anxiety.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

anxiety disorder social phobia

As listed by the trial registrant

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

SOCIAL ANXIETY DISORDER

Contacts and locations

Locations

Kocaeli University Hospital - Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
RECRUITING

Kocaeli, 41000, Turkey (Türkiye)

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