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Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Phase 3 Interventional Ages 18 and up

Ketamine and virtual reality to treat treatment-resistant depression

Official title: InTRavenous kEtAmine and immerSive virtUal Reality to Treat dEpression (TREASURE Trial): a Pilot, Randomized Controlled Trial

Run by Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre · NCT06781697 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This study tests whether IV ketamine combined with immersive virtual reality can help adults with treatment-resistant depression see faster or better improvements.

Quick facts

PhasePhase 3
Study typeInterventional
Ages18 Years and up
SexAll
Enrollment31 (estimated)
SponsorSunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Toronto, Ontario)
StatusRecruiting
StartedMay 3, 2026
Main results expectedDecember 2027
Study endsDecember 2028
Registry record updatedOctober 23, 2026
Trial IDNCT06781697 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Adults (18+) with treatment-resistant depression who are outpatient candidates for IV ketamine and can participate in immersive VR sessions at a Sunnybrook site.

Probably not a fit

Patients with psychotic disorders, significant uncontrolled comorbidity, or those unable to tolerate IV ketamine or VR exposure may not experience benefit.

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

This is a phase 3 interventional trial evaluating a novel approach for treatment-resistant depression using intravenously administered ketamine paired with immersive virtual reality experiences. Participants receive standard IV ketamine treatments while engaging with VR, aiming to accelerate mood improvements and maintain benefits. The study targets adults already approved for IV ketamine by their psychiatrist and requires multiple ketamine sessions per treatment course. Outcomes focus on depressive symptoms, safety, and tolerability in a real-world outpatient setting at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre in Toronto. The trial builds on prior evidence suggesting fast-acting effects of ketamine and the potential modulatory role of VR engagement.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, participants may experience faster and more robust relief from depressive symptoms during their ketamine treatment course.

How similar studies have gone: Prior work has shown rapid antidepressant effects with ketamine; combining it with VR is a newer approach with limited, but encouraging, early data.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria 
Inclusion Criteria:

* Age ≥ 18, able to provide informed consent
* Patient diagnosed with treatment-resistant depression
* Outpatient recommended and approved by psychiatrist for ketamine treatment
* Patients who are on IV ketamine and requiring at least 4 treatments of IV ketamine per course (prescribed by their physiatrist)
* Cognitively alert, oriented, and able to watch immersive content and respond to questions
* Negative human chorionic gonadotropin test before treatment, for female participants of childbearing potential who are not practicing medically appropriate methods of birth control (e.g., hormonal contraceptives, implants, injectables, intrauterine devices, intrauterine systems, etc.)

Exclusion Criteria:

* History of psychosis/comorbid psychiatric disorders/psychotic depression/dissociative syndromes, significant personality disorder, as clinically assessed by psychiatrist
* Using non-prescribed substance (e.g., cannabis) or alcohol use within the preceding 48 hours of treatment
* Current or recent (within past twelve months) documented diagnosis of moderate or severe substance use disorder including uncontrolled/active alcohol abuse excepting nicotine or caffeine
* Previous ketamine use
* Acute dementia/delirium
* Acute risk of suicide at baseline, as determined by the study psychiatrist
* Pregnancy/breastfeeding
* Previous sensitivity to ketamine or related compounds
* Unstable medical condition which may require anesthesia consult
* History of elevated intracranial pressure or cerebrovascular accident
* Recent (within 6 weeks) major cardiovascular event (such as myocardial infarction)
* Significant motion sickness (i.e. occur during exposure to physical/visual and virtual motion, cybersickness, etc.) self-identified by patient
* Inability to communicate with the study team

Where it's running

  • Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
    Toronto, Ontario, Canada     Recruiting

Study contacts

Similar studies

Other studies for the same condition or treatment. Recruiting studies are listed first.

How to take part

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
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Treatment Resistant Depression 69Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre 93
Last reviewed 2026-11-14 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.