Virtual reality exposure therapy for vaginismus
Virtual Reality Exposure for Vaginismus: A Replicated Single-Case Design
This project will test whether virtual reality exposure can reduce pain and make vaginal penetration easier for adults who have vaginismus.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 20 (estimated) |
| Ages | 19 Years and up |
| Sex | Female |
| Sponsor | University of British Columbia Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Vancouver, British Columbia and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT06923306 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This interventional study uses a replicated single-case design to deliver graduated virtual reality exposure (VRE) aimed at extinguishing the defensive pelvic-floor tightness that blocks penetration. Participants will complete VRE sessions designed to expose them gradually to feared vaginal penetration cues while outcomes are tracked repeatedly within each participant. Primary outcomes include self-reported ease of insertion, insertion pain, and frequency of penetrative sexual activity; the analysis plan uses time-series comparisons (Marascuilo-Busk randomization test) across baseline and intervention phases. The work is conducted at the UBC Sexual Health Lab and affiliated Vancouver clinics and targets adults with a diagnosis of vaginismus.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults over age 19 who have a vagina and a diagnosis of vaginismus lasting more than six months, fluent in English, with normal or corrected vision and able to attend sessions in Vancouver.
Not a fit: People without a vagina, those under 19, individuals who cannot tolerate VR (severe motion sickness or visual impairment), are not fluent in English, or have medical conditions that make penetration impossible are unlikely to benefit from this intervention.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If effective, VRE could decrease involuntary pelvic-floor tightening and pain, make penetration more comfortable, and increase access to therapy through a scalable digital approach.
How similar studies have performed: Virtual reality exposure has demonstrated benefit for other specific phobias and some emerging sexual-health uses, but its application specifically to vaginismus is novel and has limited prior clinical evidence.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: The investigators will recruit individuals who have a vagina. They expect that most participants will identify as cisgender, where sex is female and gender is woman, while others may have a female sex but identify as a different gender (e.g., genderdiverse). Transwomen (i.e., birth assigned males but identify as woman) who have had gender-affirming surgery (and so have a vagina) are eligible, as are transmen (i.e., birth assigned females but identify as men) who have not had bottom surgery (so have a vagina). Inclusion criteria: In addition to having a vagina, participants must have a diagnosis of vaginismus that requires self-reported involuntary tightness of the vaginal musculature that causes persistent interference with vaginal penetration lasting \>6 months; aged \>19 y, of any sexual orientation. Participants must be fluent in English (psychoeducational materials and questionnaires delivered in English), have normal or corrected-to-normal vision (to view the VR scenes during exposure), and be able to travel to Vancouver. Exclusion Criteria: Presence of: unprovoked vaginal pain; a vulvar skin condition (i.e., lichen sclerosus); an imperforate hymen; or epilepsy characterized by photosensitive seizures. Note: provoked vulvar pain is not an exclusion criterion because at least 40% of people with vaginismus report pain with attempted penetration.
Where this trial is running
Vancouver, British Columbia and 1 other locations
- UBC Sexual Health Lab, Vancouver Hospital — Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (Recruiting)
- Diamond Health Care Centre — Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Lori Brotto, PhD, RPsych — University of British Columbia
- Study coordinator: Lauren Selden
- Email: lselden@student.ubc.ca
- Phone: 6048754111
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.