Virtual Reality Therapy for Trauma in Healthcare Workers

Plain-English translation of NCT04887116 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated September 2026 · Translation generated September 2026 · How we translate trials

Phase 1 — Testing in a small group (usually 20–80 people) to find a safe dose and watch for side effects.

What is this trial?

This trial is testing whether virtual reality exposure therapy can help treat trauma symptoms in healthcare workers and COVID-19 patients who experienced difficult events during the pandemic. Exposure therapy is a well-established psychological treatment where patients safely revisit and process their traumatic experiences in a controlled way. Researchers are exploring whether adding virtual reality to this therapy makes it more effective and easier for people to use.

Healthcare workers and COVID-19 patients face high rates of trauma-related stress disorder after their experiences during the pandemic. While this type of therapy has worked well for military veterans and first responders, researchers want to see if this new treatment approach can help these populations specifically.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you are a healthcare worker who experienced work-related trauma during the pandemic, or a COVID-19 patient
you have been diagnosed with trauma-related stress symptoms (PTSD or partial PTSD)
you are 18 years or older and medically stable enough to attend sessions
you speak English and can understand and sign the informed consent form
you have been on any psychiatric medications at a stable dose for at least 60 days

You likely don't qualify if…

you have an unstable medical condition that would prevent you from attending regular sessions
you are currently at risk of harming yourself or others, in the researcher's judgment
you have ever been diagnosed with schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder
you have a history of motion sickness or seizures
you are currently enrolled in another mental health study or receiving other evidence-based trauma treatment

What participation looks like

You will attend ten sessions of 90 minutes each, twice per week for five weeks. Sessions can be done either in-person or remotely from home. If you participate remotely, you'll receive a virtual reality headset to use during the study. A clinician will guide you through the therapy, and an independent evaluator will check in on your symptoms at the start, halfway through, at the end, and three months later to see how you're doing.

Virtual Reality Therapy for Trauma in Healthcare Workers

What is this trial?

Do you qualify?

What participation looks like

Trial locations(1 site)