Virtual Reality Digital Therapeutics for Seasonal Affective Disorder (NCT07161570) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Virtual Reality Digital Therapeutics for Seasonal Affective Disorder
60 participantsStarted 2025-10-27
Plain-language summary
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is commonly treated with bright light therapy. Virtual reality (VR) is an immersive computer-generated environment, which has been used to treat mental health difficulties, such as depression, social anxiety and stress. This study aims to compare the use of VR with bright light therapy in treating SAD.
Participants will be randomly allocated to either the VR condition or the light box condition and instructed to use the respective device every day for 14 days.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
Inclusion Criteria:
* fluent in English and capable of giving informed consent
* 18 or older
* resident in the United Kingdom and
* able to access internet and attend Anglia Ruskin University's Cambridge campus
* must self-identify or have been diagnosed with SAD, with moderate to severe symptoms
Exclusion Criteria:
* declared suffering from epilepsy (due to the risk that seizures may be triggered by VR use).
* currently using photosensitizing medications or have significant retinal pathology, due to potentially detrimental effects of light box use. For other ophthalmologic conditions, consultation with an ophthalmologist will be recommended.
* currently receiving active treatment for SAD, including antidepressant medication (less than 3 months), bright light treatment, or psychotherapy (e.g. CBT for seasonal affective disorder).
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Change in levels of mood and depressive symptoms
Timeframe: From baseline (day 1 to 7) to follow-up (day 28) of treatment