NCT07314788
Empathy and Virtual Reality (VR)
Enrolling by Invitation
NAAges 18–25InterventionalBasic scienceUniversity of MiamiInvestigator-initiated
~110 participants
Updated 2026-04-16 on ClinicalTrials.gov
What's tested:Fear-inducing Virtual Reality (VR) experienceNeutral Virtual Reality (VR) experience
At a glance
Recruiting sites
0 of 1 listed site is recruiting right now
RecruitingSuspended, closed, or not yet open
What they're measuring
Change in self-reported empathy scores
Measured over Baseline (prior to VR experience) and approximately 5 minutes post-VR experience.
+1 more outcome measured
Conditions
Where it's being run
1 sites across 1 statesFlorida1
Study leadership
- Jennifer Britton, Ph.D. · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · University of Miami
Who to contact
This trial hasn't published a contact. View it on ClinicalTrials.gov
Do you actually qualify for this trial?
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Eligibility criteria
Inclusion
College-aged adults (18-25 years old)
English-speaking
Normal or corrected vision.
Able to provide consent.
Exclusion
VR contraindications: epilepsy, migraines, flu, sleep deprivation, etc.
More than minimal VR experience assessed via self-report (e.g., How often have you used virtual reality in the past? 0=never, 6=very frequently)
Extreme phobia of heights and/or spiders will be assessed using Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th edition (DSM-5) specific phobia subscale.
What this trial measures
- Change in self-reported empathy scoresBaseline (prior to VR experience) and approximately 5 minutes post-VR experience.
Participant will view videos of other individuals undergoing a fear-inducing virtual reality (VR) experience and will self-report level of empathy on a scale 0=not at all to 10=extremely. Average empathy ratings will be compared pre-VR and post-VR.
- Change in heart rateBaseline (prior to VR experience) and approximately 5 minutes post-VR experience.
Average heart rate (beats/minute) will be collected while watching videos of other individuals undergoing a fear-inducing virtual reality (VR) experience and will be compared pre-VR and post-VR.