Virtual reality could ease fear of shock therapy
NCT ID NCT04291196
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Aug 14, 2026 · Updated 2 times
Summary
This study tests whether watching a virtual reality (VR) video of an electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) session can reduce anxiety and improve knowledge about the procedure. About 64 adults about to have ECT for the first time will be randomly assigned to either a VR education session or a standard talk with a psychiatrist. Researchers will measure anxiety, heart rate, blood pressure, and understanding of ECT before and after the session.
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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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66 people
The number who actually took part.
- Started
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Nov 2020
- Finished
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Sep 2024
- 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.
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Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
Inclusion Criteria: * Age ≥18 * First time undergoing ECT within the last year * Outpatient/inpatient recommended for ECT * Within 2-4 days of ECT procedure or no ECT within the past year * Referred by psychiatrist * Able to understand English * Able to watch and respond to questions Exclusion Criteria: * Lack of patient consent or capacity to give consent * Visual and hearing impairments precluding the ability to watch or listen to video * History of significant motion sickness (i.e. occur during exposure to physical, visual and virtual motion, cybersickness verbally declared by patient)
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Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
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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Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Toronto, Ontario, M4N 3M5, Canada
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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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