NCT06888999

In Vitro Exposure by VR to Enhance Return to Work After Sick Leave Due to Mental Health Related Complaints

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 118 (estimated)
• Sponsor: Academisch Medisch Centrum - Universiteit van Amsterdam (AMC-UvA) · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The goal of this pilot randomised controlled trial is to investigate whether in vitro exposure by VR enhances return to work (RTW) in flight cabin crew on sick leave with mental health related complaints. The main research questions are: 1. Does VR enhances time to RTW? 2. Does VR increase self-efficacy and positive cognitions regarding RTW, and decrease job anxiety? Researchers will compare a control group receiving care as usual as provided by the occupational physician and a psychologist to an intervention group receiving care as usual plus (al least) one session with VR-glasses in which participants are virtually exposed to their workplace.

Detailed description

This study evaluates the effectiveness of in vitro exposure to the workplace by means of VR to decrease time to RTW of sick-listed flight cabin crew with mental health related complaints compared to usual care. The study design is a pilot randomized controlled trial, including an intervention and control group. Sick-listed workers in the control group receive care as usual from the occupational physician and a psychologist. Sick-listed workers in the intervention group receive care as usual from the occupational physician and a psychologist and participate in a VR-session. During the VR-session, guided by the psychologist, participants are virtually exposed to their workplace. Data on the primary outcome of RTW is collected based on the register data from the occupational health service (6 and 12 months after baseline). Data on secondary outcomes (self-efficacy, cognitions regarding RTW and job anxiety) is collected with baseline and follow-up questionnaires (4 months after baseline).

Conditions

• Return to Work
• Occupational Stress
• Self-Efficacy

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
OTHER	In vitro exposure to workplace by VR plus care as usual	During the VR-session, guided by the psychologist, participants are virtually exposed to their workplace using VR glasses. Based on the experience of the participants during the vitual visit to their workplace, the psychologist can adjust the therapy. In addition care as usual is provided (see description active comparator).
OTHER	Care as usual: Guidance from occupational physician and psychologist focused on returning to work	Guidance by the occupational physician and a psychologist from a psychologist practice specialized in counseling cabin crew and guiding them with returning to work.

Timeline

• Start date: 2025-11-17
• Primary completion: 2026-11-01
• Completion: 2027-03-01
• First posted: 2025-03-21
• Last updated: 2026-01-09

Locations

1 site across 1 country: Netherlands