Can VR and magnetic pulses ease dysphoria? small study tests two quick fixes
NCT ID NCT05061745
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
This pilot study tested two non-invasive treatments for dysphoria, a feeling of unease or dissatisfaction common in mood and pain disorders. Twenty-nine adults tried either a guided meditation virtual reality (VR) program or an accelerated form of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), which uses magnetic pulses to stimulate the brain. The goal was to see if these approaches are feasible, tolerable, and show early signs of helping symptoms.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- Guided Meditation VR and Accelerated Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this could point toward faster, less resource-intensive non-drug options for managing dysphoria symptoms.
- What could go wrong
- This is a very small, early pilot study (29 people) with no placebo group, so results may not be reliable or generalizable. Both interventions are still experimental for dysphoria.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Phase
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Not a phased trial
Phase numbers describe drug development. The registry uses this when they do not apply, as it does for trials of devices, procedures or behaviour changes, and for observational studies.
- Participants
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29 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Sep 2021
- Finished
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Nov 2025
- Lead sponsor
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Other sponsor
The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
- Ages
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18 years and older
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria for Arm 1: 1. Adults age 18 years and above 2. Reported symptoms of dysphoria: PHQ-9 ≥ 10; GAD-7 ≥ 10; PCL-5 ≥ 45 or Average Pain Intensity ≥ 4/10 for \> 3 months - this will ensure at least moderate level of reported difficulty with mood, anxiety, trauma, or pain 3. No changes in psychotropic medication (if taking psychotropic medication) and/or supportive psychotherapy for 1 month prior to baseline visit; and clinically appropriate to maintain stable treatment regimen for duration of trial. 4. Clinically competent to give informed written consent and ability to understand study procedures and to comply with them for the entire length of the study Exclusion Criteria for Arm 1: 1. Significant auditory or visual impairment that prevents participants from using Virtual Reality headset. 2. Neurologic conditions or devices impacting brain circuitry (e.g., ferrous metal in head, seizure disorder, brain tumor, stroke, aneurysm, multiple sclerosis, etc.) 3. Active substance use disorder or hallucinogen use in last 3 months or any current substance use that puts the participant at increased risk or significant impairment 4. Dementia or other cognitive disorder making unable to engage in treatment 5. Any history or diagnosis of Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder, Delusional Disorder or other psychotic illness that precludes safe participation in trial. 6. Suicidal risk that precludes safe participation defined as clinical impression that the participant is at significant risk for suicide. 7. OCD cannot be the primary disorder but can have OCD symptoms 8. Inability to stop taking any medication that significantly increases cortical excitability (e.g., tricyclic antidepressants, stimulants, clozapine, etc.) 9. Unstable medical conditions or any current medical condition that could preclude being able to safely participate in this phase of the study (e.g., unstable metabolic abnormality, unstable angina, etc.) 10. Severe Traumatic Brain Injury 11. We will exclude non-English speakers because of the need for rapid communication before and during the use of technology. 12. Significant ongoing litigation or claims that impact research activities, as determined by the research study team. (Research may especially be impacted when mental health or pain is being evaluated for litigation or claims, such as civil and criminal cases, disability claims and worker's compensation). 13. The following groups will NOT be included. * Adults unable to consent * Individuals who are not yet adults (infants, children, teenagers) * Prisoners Inclusion for Arms 2 and 3: 1. Adults age 18 years and above 2. Reported symptom of dysphoria: PHQ-9 ≥ 10; GAD-7 ≥ 10; PCL-5 ≥ 45 or Average Pain ≥ 4/10 for \> 3 months - this will ensure at least moderate level of reported difficulty with mood, anxiety, trauma, or pain 3. No changes in psychotropic medication (if taking psychotropic medication) and/or changes in supportive psychotherapy for 1 month prior to initial visit; and clinically appropriate to maintain stable treatment regimen for duration of trial 4. Clinically competent to give informed written consent and ability to understand study procedures and to comply with them for the entire length of the study Exclusion for Arms 2 and 3 : 1. Medical contraindication for neuromodulation (e.g., ferrous metal in head, seizure disorder, brain tumor, stroke, aneurysm, multiple sclerosis, etc.) 2. Active substance use disorder in last 3 months or any current substance use that puts the participant at increased risk or significant impairment 3. Dementia or other cognitive disorder making unable to engage in treatment 4. Any history or diagnosis of Schizophrenia, Schizoaffective Disorder, delusional Disorder or other psychotic illness that precludes safe participation in trial 5. Suicidal risk that precludes safe participation defined as clinical impression that the participant is at significant risk for suicide 6. OCD cannot be the primary disorder but can have OCD symptoms 7. Inability to stop taking any medication that significantly lowers the seizure threshold (e.g., tricyclic antidepressants, clozapine, etc.) 8. Current, planned, or suspected pregnancy 9. Unstable medical conditions or any current medical condition that could preclude being able to safely participate in TMS treatment (e.g., unstable metabolic abnormality, unstable angina, etc.) 10. Severe Traumatic Brain Injury 11. We will exclude non-English speakers because of the need for rapid communication during the delivery of treatments 12. Significant ongoing litigation or claims that impact research activities, as determined by the research study team. (Research may especially be impacted when mental health or pain is being evaluated for litigation or claims, such as civil and criminal cases, disability claims and worker's compensation). 13. The following groups will NOT be included. * Adults unable to consent * Individuals who are not yet adults (infants, children, teenagers) * Pregnant women * Prisoners
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As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Florida State University
Tallahassee, Florida, 32306, United States