Can VR fun beat the blues? small trial tests virtual activities for depression

NCT ID NCT05525390

Completed Symptom relief Sponsor: Stanford University Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 24, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026 · Updated 1 time

Summary

This study tested whether using a virtual reality (VR) headset to do fun activities could help ease depression symptoms. 26 adults with major depression were asked to complete at least four activities each week, either in VR or in real life. Researchers measured changes in depression scores and how willing people were to keep using VR after the study.

What this could mean

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

Active substance: Extended reality (VR) headset activities
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a new, engaging way to help people with depression feel better by doing fun activities in virtual reality.
What could go wrong: This was a very small, early study with only 26 people. The results may not apply to everyone, and the effect might be due to the extra attention, not the VR itself.

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.

Depression depressive disorder endogenous depression major depressive disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

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

DEPRESSION MAJOR DEPRESSIVE DISORDER MDD

Contacts and locations

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Locations

Stanford University

Stanford, California, 94304, United States

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