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Virtual Reality Environments to Treat PTSD in Healthcare Workers

This study is testing Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy to help healthcare workers and COVID-19 patients who have Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) or sub-threshold PTSD. PTSD can develop after experiencing trauma, and healthcare workers have been at higher risk during the pandemic. Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy helps people revisit and overcome traumatic experiences in a safe, controlled way. Researchers want to see if this therapy helps reduce PTSD symptoms. They will also look at how easy it is to recruit and enroll participants. To join, you must be a healthcare worker or COVID-19 patient who experienced work-related trauma, be at least 18 years old, speak English, and have a diagnosis of PTSD or sub-threshold PTSD. The study is currently unclear about its recruitment status.

Study design
This is an interventional study planning to enroll 20 participants. It is not specified if it is randomized or blinded.
What's involved
You would participate in ten 90-minute sessions of Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy, twice a week for five weeks. These sessions can be done remotely or in person.
Compensation
Not stated in the trial record.
Follow-up
Your PTSD symptoms will be measured from the start of the study to approximately five weeks later.

AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.

NCT04887116

Piloting Virtual Reality Environments to Treat PTSD in Healthcare Workers

Recruiting
EARLY_PHASE1Ages 18+InterventionalTreatment
Weill Medical College of Cornell University
~20 participants
Updated 2025-10-28 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy

At a glance

Recruiting sites
1 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Change in Clinician Administered PTSD Score (CAPS-V)
Measured over Baseline to approximately five weeks
+4 more outcomes measured

Conditions

Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

Explore related trials

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Where it's being run

1 sites across 1 states
New York1

Study leadership

  • JoAnn Difede, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · Weill Medical College of Cornell University

Who to contact

Isabelle McLeod Daphnis, BS
[email protected]
3108256016
Email the study team

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Do you actually qualify for this trial?

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Eligibility criteria

Inclusion

A COVID-19 patient or any healthcare worker providing medical care or support who experiences occupational-related trauma
English-speaking
Age ≥18
Medically stable
Diagnosed with PTSD or sub threshold PTSD
Ability to provide informed consent and function at an intellectual level sufficient to allow accurate completion of all assessment instruments
Stable on psychotropic medication for the prior 60 days

Exclusion

Current significant unstable medical illness such that the participant could not attend sessions regularly or complete assessments
Patients who in the investigator's judgment pose a current homicidal, suicidal or other risk
Lifetime or Current diagnosis of schizophrenia or other psychotic disorder
Participation in a clinical trial or concurrent evidence-based treatment for psychiatric conditions or PTSD during the previous 3 months
History of motion sickness or seizures

What this trial measures

  • Change in Clinician Administered PTSD Score (CAPS-V)Baseline to approximately five weeks

    Change in Clinician-Administered PTSD Scale for DSM-5 (CAPS-V) Score. Total Scores range from 0-80. Higher scores indicate greater symptom severity.

  • Feasibility Indicator: RecruitmentBaseline

    Feasibility assessment will include recruitment defined as number of individuals interested in the intervention.

  • Feasibility Indicator: EnrollmentBaseline

    Feasibility assessment will include enrollment defined as number of participants signing the informed consent form.

  • Feasibility Indicator: RetentionPost-Treatment Assessment at approximately 5 weeks

    Feasibility assessment will include retention defined as the number of participants completing the full intervention.

  • Acceptability Indicator: SatisfactionPost-Treatment Assessment at approximately 5 weeks

    Acceptability and treatment satisfaction will be rated with a Likert scale.