NCT06174285

Effect of Psychedelic VR-augmented Therapy on Patients With Clinical Depression

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 45 (estimated)
• Sponsor: University of Tartu · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years – 65 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Not accepted

Summary

Research has demonstrated that psychedelic compounds possess significant therapeutic potential for a variety of disorders, including depression. Despite these findings, the underlying mechanisms driving the therapeutic efficacy of psychedelics remain elusive. Furthermore, there exists a debate over the contribution of the subjective psychedelic experience to their therapeutic benefits. In this study, virtual reality (VR) is utilized as a tool to replicate the subjective experiences induced by psychedelics, aiming to explore their impact on depressive symptoms within a clinical sample. The primary objective of this research is to examine the influence of psychedelic-like phenomenology, as simulated through VR, on depressive symptoms. The study is structured into two distinct arms: the experimental condition features 'Psyrreal,' a VR experience designed to emulate psychedelic effects and the control condition which includes 'Routine Realms,' an analogous VR experience devoid of psychedelic elements. A third waiting list condition may be included, dependent on the availability of sufficient participants and resources. Additionally, the study seeks to identify and analyze various potential mediators that might underpin the therapeutic outcomes observed.

Conditions

• Depression

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	Therapeutic Intervention with Psychedelic Virtual Reality	A 55-minute immersive psychedelic virtual reality experience is incorporated into a therapeutic intervention, comprising a preparatory phase and a subsequent integration session based on the individual's experience.
OTHER	Therapeutic Intervention with Non-Psychedelic Virtual Reality	A 55-minute immersive virtual reality experience is incorporated into a therapeutic intervention, comprising a preparatory phase and a subsequent integration session based on the individual's experience.

Timeline

• Start date: 2023-11-06
• Primary completion: 2026-06-30
• Completion: 2026-06-30
• First posted: 2023-12-18
• Last updated: 2025-03-25

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Estonia