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Virtual Reality to Reduce Pre-procedure Anxiety Prior ECT

NCT04291196 · Status: ACTIVE_NOT_RECRUITING · Phase: NA · Type: INTERVENTIONAL · Enrollment: 64

Last updated 2026-03-16

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Lack of patient knowledge about ECT (electroconvulsive therapy) is a leading cause of treatment fear with 60% of ECT patients reporting high levels of anxiety.

The purpose of this study is to determine if using Virtual Reality (VR) to allow patients' to experience a virtual ECT education session before treatment is useful in lowering treatment anxiety and increasing knowledge about ECT if compared to standard treatment. In addition, measuring heart rate and blood pressure levels before ECT treatment will allow us to assess changes in anxiety levels.

Individuals who choose to participate will be placed (participant will have a 50% chance to be placed in either group) to view either a virtual reality video to experience a virtual ECT session, or to receive standard preparation, i.e. a discussion with a psychiatrist. Before and after this session participants will be asked to complete a measurement of their anxiety level and knowledge about ECT (ECT Attitude \& Knowledge Questionnaire). Just before ECT treatment, blood pressure, heart rate and anxiety level will be measured. Participants will also complete cognitive and depression assessments.

This study will help to develop a relationship between healthcare providers and patients and their families to help with education before ECT treatment.

Conditions

Interventions

OTHER

VR-ECT 360o Video

Patients in the VR arm will be immersed in the ECT process in first person utilizing Google Cardboard headsets. Patients will experience in 360 entering the procedure room, IV insertion, pretreatment checks, anesthetic induction followed by induction of seizure, and recovery. The experience will also have voice-over narration simultaneously describing the procedure and its risks and benefits.

OTHER

Standard Treatment

Patients will receive preparation for their ECT as per standard of care, i.e. a discussion with a Psychiatrist.

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre

    lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

  • Fahad Alam · SHSC

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
OTHER
Masking
NONE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start
2020-11-27
Primary Completion
2026-06-30
Completion
2026-06-30

Countries

  • Canada

Study Locations

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Entities

Diseases

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT04291196 on ClinicalTrials.gov