Boosting enjoyment and positive feelings using virtual reality
Official title: Virtual Reality Training Study
Run by University of California, Los Angeles · NCT07219875 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This trial tests whether a virtual-reality training that teaches people to savor positive experiences can increase positive affect in adults with depression and low positive affect.
Quick facts
| Phase | Phase 2 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 80 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | University of California, Los Angeles Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Los Angeles, California) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | May 21, 2025 |
| Main results expected | June 2027 |
| Study ends | June 2027 |
| Registry record updated | October 16, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT07219875 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Adults aged 18 or older with depression, low positive affect, and functional impairment who meet the study cutoffs (DASS-21 depression ≥8, PANAS-P ≤27, WSAS ≥11), are fluent in English, and are not taking psychotropic medications are ideal candidates.
✕Probably not a fit
People with a lifetime history of bipolar disorder, psychosis, intellectual disability, recent substance use disorder, current psychotropic medication use, pregnancy, frequent motion sickness, recent seizures, or epilepsy are excluded and unlikely to be helped by this protocol.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This randomized Phase 2 trial will enroll 80 adults with depression and low positive affect and assign them to seven weeks of either Virtual Reality-Reward Training (VR-RT) or an active control, Virtual Reality-Memory Training (VR-MT). VR-RT uses immersive positive VR scenes followed by guided imaginal recounting to strengthen reward anticipation and initial reward response, while VR-MT focuses on memory practice. Participants complete in-person VR sessions, laboratory assessments, and self-report questionnaires at baseline, mid-treatment, post-treatment, and a week-12 follow-up. Statistical analyses will compare changes in positive affect and related clinical outcomes between the two groups and examine whether target engagement correlates with symptom change.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, the intervention could increase positive affect and reward sensitivity, which may improve functioning and depressive symptoms.
How similar studies have gone: Other reward- and positivity-focused interventions have shown promising early results, but VR-based reward training is a newer approach with limited prior large-scale testing.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: 1. At least 18 years old 2. Fluent in written and spoken English 3. Meet all of the following dimensional score cutoffs: 1. Score on the DASS-21 depression subscale must be ≥ 8 2. Score on the PANAS-P of 27 or lower 3. Score on the WSAS of ≥ 11 Exclusion Criteria: 1. Lifetime history of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, psychosis, intellectual/developmental disability, or organic brain damage 2. Substance use disorder in the past 6 months 3. Current use of psychotropic medications 4. Currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant 5. Self-reported frequent motion sickness 6. Self-reported seizures within the last year and/or a diagnosis of epilepsy 7. Self-reported color blindness or vision that is not corrected to normal
Where it's running
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University of California, Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Michelle Craske — University of California, Los Angeles
- Study coordinator: Ivy Q Xiao, B.S.
- Email: ivyxiao@psych.ucla.edu
- Phone: 4242939615
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How to take part
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
- Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.