Virtual Reality (VR) Therapy for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

The Efficacy of Virtual Reality (VR) as an Adjunct Therapy for Acute Combat-related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in Non-Combatants

Status

Completed

Phases

Phase 1Phase 2

Study type

Interventional

Source

ClinicalTrials.gov

Registry ID

NCT00992953

Enrollment

136

Registered

2009-10-09

Start date

2005-01-31

Completion date

2009-10-31

Last updated

2009-10-09

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

Keywords

Virtual Reality, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Combat, Military, Major Depressive Disorder, Anxiety, Virtual Reality Exposure with Stimulus Control, Treatment as Usual

Brief summary

It is proposed that using Virtual Reality as part of therapy will result in improvements in Post Traumatic Stress Disorder for Service Members with PTSD related to service in Iraq and/or Afghanistan.

Detailed description

In the treatment development phase, participants will be enrolled in Virtual Reality therapy. The therapy will be based on principals of exposure therapy, but will also incorporate aspects of physiological monitoring, and cognitive restructuring. The therapy will be modified as indicated by clinical feedback, with a fixed protocol to be developed (with length of treatment and exact methods to be used to be determined). After a fixed protocol is agreed upon, the project will enter the randomized phase. In this portion, subjects will be randomly assigned to receive either the Virtual Reality Treatment, or sent back to a waiting list during which time they will receive usual treatment. Participants will be assessed to determine which treatment (VR or treatment as usual) results in the greatest improvements in PTSD, as measured by independent assessors using the Clinician Administered PTSD scale.

Interventions

BEHAVIORALTreatment as Usual

10 weeks of therapy and/or psychiatric medication as available

BEHAVIORALVirtual Reality Exposure with Stimulus Control

10 weeks of therapy, up to twice a week, 90 min sessions involving Virtual Reality Exposure with Stimulus Control

Study design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Intervention model

PARALLEL

Primary purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

ALL

Age

18 Years to 65 Years

Healthy volunteers

Inclusion criteria

* Diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder related to military service in Iraq or Afghanistan by a Military Medical Provider. Willing and able to give informed consent to participate Willing to give up intoxicating substances on the days of therapy

Exclusion criteria

* Actively suicidal, homicidal, psychotic, or having a diagnosis of alcohol dependence that does not show signs of at least early remission

Countries

United States

Outcome results

None listed

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026