Using virtual reality to help healthcare workers with PTSD
Official title: Piloting Virtual Reality Environments to Treat PTSD in Healthcare Workers
Run by Weill Medical College of Cornell University · NCT04887116 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing a virtual reality program to see if it can help healthcare workers and COVID-19 patients with PTSD feel better after experiencing trauma on the job.
Quick facts
| Phase | Early Phase 1 |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 20 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | Weill Medical College of Cornell University Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (New York, New York) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | October 5, 2023 |
| Main results expected | January 2027 |
| Study ends | January 2027 |
| Registry record updated | September 16, 2026 |
| Trial ID | NCT04887116 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates include English-speaking healthcare workers or COVID-19 patients aged 18 and older who have been diagnosed with PTSD or sub-threshold PTSD and are medically stable.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with significant unstable medical illnesses, current suicidal or homicidal risks, or those with a history of psychotic disorders may not benefit from this study.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
This study aims to develop and test a virtual reality environment designed to treat posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in healthcare workers and COVID-19 patients who have experienced occupational-related trauma. The approach utilizes virtual reality exposure therapy, which has a history of effectiveness in treating PTSD by allowing patients to confront and process their traumatic experiences in a controlled setting. Participants will be assessed for PTSD symptoms and other psychological issues through structured clinical interviews and self-report measures. The goal is to provide a novel therapeutic option for those affected by the psychological impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve the mental health and quality of life for healthcare workers and COVID-19 patients suffering from PTSD.
How similar studies have gone: Previous studies have shown success in using virtual reality for PTSD treatment in military veterans and first responders, indicating potential for this approach in healthcare workers.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * A COVID-19 patient or any healthcare worker providing medical care or support who experiences occupational-related trauma * English-speaking * Age ≥18 * Medically stable * Diagnosed with PTSD or sub threshold PTSD * Ability to provide informed consent and function at an intellectual level sufficient to allow accurate completion of all assessment instruments * Stable on psychotropic medication for the prior 60 days Exclusion Criteria: * Current significant unstable medical illness such that the participant could not attend sessions regularly or complete assessments * Patients who in the investigator's judgment pose a current homicidal, suicidal or other risk * Lifetime or Current diagnosis of schizophrenia or other psychotic disorder * Participation in a clinical trial or concurrent evidence-based treatment for psychiatric conditions or PTSD during the previous 3 months * History of motion sickness or seizures
Where it's running
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Weill Cornell Medicine
New York, New York, United States Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: JoAnn Difede, PhD — Weill Medical College of Cornell University
- Study coordinator: Isabelle McLeod Daphnis, BS
- Email: sum4009@med.cornell.edu
- Phone: 3108256016
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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.