RecruitingNot Applicable

Assessing the Acute Effects of Virtual Reality Interventions on Stress

Switzerland120 participantsStarted 2026-03-05

Plain-language summary

A Four-Arm RCT, testing the acute effects of a Virtual Reality (VR)- based slow-paced breathing intervention on subjective and physiological markers of stress. The investigator hypothesize that combining slow breathing with immersive, mystical-type VR elements will result in the greatest stress reduction.

Who can participate

Age range

18 Years – 35 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: * \> 60 points on the PSQ-30 out of a maximum 120-point scale in the screening * Healthy * Aged between 18-35 * Fluent in German Exclusion Criteria: * A current diagnosis of psychiatric disorders (self-reported) * Chronic medication use (except oral contraceptives) * Parallel participation in another medical or psychological study * Suicidal tendencies (PHQ-9 item 9 \> 0)3 * PHQ-9 score ≥ 10 * A visual impairment not corrected by glasses or contact lenses

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

Subjective stress

Timeframe: Assessed before and after the 10-minute interventions.

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07191288

SponsorProf. Dominique de Quervain, MD

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2026-06-30

Contact for this trial

Fabian Mueller, Msc

+41612070272 fabi.mueller@unibas.ch

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Slow Breathing trials