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Electroconvulsive Therapy / VR-ECT 360o Video / ECT · Interventional Study
ClinicalTrials.gov · August 13, 2026
Early or partial results. Treat as a signal, not a conclusion.
This is a completed but unpublished randomized study comparing a virtual reality ECT education intervention to standard preparation in 66 patients. The registry documents planned primary outcomes (pre-operative anxiety, ECT knowledge, heart rate, blood pressure) but no results are posted; clinical utility cannot be assessed from the registry entry alone.
Interventional, Randomized, Parallel, Open label, Other purpose. ECT, Electroconvulsive Therapy, Virtual Reality, Anxiety, Education, Hemodynamics, Depression, Cognition, Mental Health; age from 18 Years. Intervention: Immersive Virtual Reality; Standard Treatment. Compared with: Standard treatment (discussion with a psychiatrist). n = 66. 1 site: Canada.
This is a completed but unpublished randomized study comparing a virtual reality ECT education intervention to standard preparation in 66 patients. The registry documents planned primary outcomes (pre-operative anxiety, ECT knowledge, heart rate, blood pressure) but no results are posted; clinical utility cannot be assessed from the registry entry alone.
No adverse events, secondary outcomes, or follow-up duration beyond ECT session reported in registry
Until results are published, clinicians cannot determine whether virtual reality pre-procedure education reduces anxiety or improves knowledge compared to standard psychiatrist-led discussion. The registry documents intent to measure both subjective (anxiety, knowledge) and objective (hemodynamic) outcomes, but the evidence is not yet available.
This is a completed registry record with no published results; enrollment and primary outcome measures are defined but outcomes are not reported, making it an early-phase report of a feasibility intervention study.
As stated by the source record.
Quoted from the source exactly as published.
Until results are published, clinicians cannot determine whether virtual reality pre-procedure education reduces anxiety or improves knowledge compared to standard psychiatrist-led discussion. The registry documents intent to measure both subjective (anxiety, knowledge) and objective (hemodynamic) outcomes, but the evidence is not yet available.
Graded across the dimensions that decide whether you should act, each from what the source actually supports. There is no single score, and where a dimension was not assessed it says so.
What is missing. This record has no key findings. That is a gap in the analysis, not a judgement about the study.
Registry record from ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT04291196). This is a study registration, not published results. Lead sponsor: Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre. Recruitment status: COMPLETED. Phase: NA. Study type: INTERVENTIONAL. Enrollment: 66 participants (ACTUAL). Conditions: ECT, Electroconvulsive Therapy, Virtual Reality, Anxiety, Education, Hemodynamics, Depression, Cognition, Mental Health. Interventions: OTHER: VR-ECT 360o Video; OTHER: Standard Treatment. Primary outcome measures: Change in Pre-operative Anxiety , Measurement completed 1) up to 2-3 days before ECT education 2) right after ECT education 3) prior to ECT (day of proceudre); Change in ECT Knowledge , Measurement completed 1) Immediately Before ECT education 2) Immediately After ECT education 3) Immediately Prior to ECT; Heart rate , Measurement completed prior to ECT session on the day of procedure.; Mean arterial blood pressure , Measurement completed prior to ECT session on the day of procedure.. Brief 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.
Taken from the source record, never inferred. Follow any of these and new work involving them reaches your briefing.