Virtual reality exposure therapy for obsessive-compulsive disorder in hospitalized patients
Official title: Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy in Patients With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Inpatients
Run by National Institute of Mental Health, Czech Republic · NCT07245134 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This trial tests whether adding immersive virtual-reality exposure to standard CBT helps hospitalized people with OCD reduce symptoms more than CBT alone or CBT with VR cognitive training.
Quick facts
| Study type | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Ages | 17 Years to 55 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Enrollment | 62 (estimated) |
| Sponsor | National Institute of Mental Health, Czech Republic Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Klecany) |
| Status | Recruiting |
| Started | November 15, 2022 |
| Main results expected | December 30, 2026 |
| Study ends | December 30, 2026 |
| Registry record updated | November 24, 2025 |
| Trial ID | NCT07245134 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
Is this trial a fit for you?
✓Likely a good fit
Ideal candidates are Czech‑speaking inpatients with a primary DSM‑5 diagnosis of OCD, without serious comorbid psychiatric or neurological disorders, and without contraindications to VR.
✕Probably not a fit
Patients with active substance abuse, epilepsy or balance problems, cardiac implants, pregnancy, or other serious medical/psychiatric comorbidities (or those unable to use VR) are unlikely to benefit or may be excluded.
A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.
What this trial studies
Adults hospitalized for OCD are randomly assigned to one of three groups: standard CBT plus immersive virtual-reality exposure (VRET), standard CBT plus VR cognitive flexibility training, or standard CBT alone. The VRET uses an "OCD house" environment displayed on HTC Vive Pro headsets where therapists combine and grade virtual stimuli that mimic home triggers across OCD subtypes to guide exposure and response prevention. Therapists can monitor and adjust difficulty in real time while patients interact with objects using hand controllers; treatment effects are measured with pre/post symptom assessments and adherence monitoring. Participants must be fluent in Czech and meet eligibility criteria excluding significant comorbid psychiatric, neurological, or somatic illnesses and contraindications to VR.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If effective, VRET could offer a controlled, immersive way for inpatients to practice exposures that may speed symptom reduction and improve treatment adherence.
How similar studies have gone: VR exposure has produced positive results in specific phobias and early OCD pilot studies, but randomized controlled evidence in inpatient OCD settings is limited.
Who can join: the full rules
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of OCD (F42) using currently valid DSM-V and ICD-11 * Fluent in Czech Exclusion Criteria: * Any other psychiatric, neurological and serious somatic illness * Substance abuse * Psychotropic medication (e.g. benzodiazepines) except antidepressants, antipsychotic medication and hypnotics. * Contradictions to using a virtual reality (e.g., epilepsy, balance problems) * Pregnancy * Cardiostimulator and mental implants
Where it's running
-
National Institute of Mental Health
Klecany, Czechia Recruiting
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Pavla Stopková, Ph.D. — National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
- Study coordinator: Iveta Fajnerová
- Email: Iveta.fajnerova@nudz.cz
- Phone: +420-608501034
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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.