Clinical trial Recruiting at 1 site Interventional

VR vs. mannequin ECT training: is VR as good for learning ECT skills?

Official title: Comparing Virtual Reality Simulation to High Fidelity Simulation as an Educational Modality for Electroconvulsive Therapy Training: A Non-Inferiority Study

Run by Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre · NCT07350278 · Data updated 2026-11-12

This trial tests whether virtual reality ECT training can match traditional mannequin-based training for medical students learning how to perform electroconvulsive therapy.

Quick facts

Study typeInterventional
SexAll
Enrollment78 (estimated)
SponsorSunnybrook Health Sciences Centre
Academic / other
Locations1 site (Toronto, Ontario)
StatusRecruiting
StartedJanuary 18, 2026
Main results expectedDecember 31, 2027
Study endsMarch 1, 2028
Registry record updatedAugust 10, 2026
Trial IDNCT07350278 on ClinicalTrials.gov

Is this trial a fit for you?

Likely a good fit

Medical students at the University of Toronto who have not previously received formal ECT training.

Probably not a fit

Participants who do not improve in ECT skills or who encounter VR usability issues may derive little benefit.

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

What this trial studies

In this open-label, non-inferiority study, medical students at the University of Toronto are randomized to receive either a VR-based ECT simulator or a high-fidelity mannequin simulator. Participants complete an initial ECT skills assessment, then 30 minutes of didactic instruction, followed by hands-on training with their assigned simulator, and a final skills assessment to measure skill acquisition and confidence. The study also evaluates ease of use and the number of training repetitions completed in each arm. The goal is to determine if VR training is non-inferior to mannequin-based training in teaching core ECT skills.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If VR training is non-inferior or superior, it could broaden access to standardized ECT education and reduce training costs.

How similar studies have gone: VR training has shown promise in other medical domains, but validated evidence for ECT training is novel and not yet established.

Who can join: the full rules

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Is a medical student at the University of Toronto
* Has not received formal ECT training before

Exclusion Criteria:

* Visual or hearing impairment that does not allow the participant to use VR.
* History of significant motion sickness.

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.
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.