RecruitingNot Applicable

Virtual Reality Relaxation for Insomnia

Canada30 participantsStarted 2025-09-01

Plain-language summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effects of a virtual reality (VR) relaxation intervention among adults aged 25 to 50 with insomnia disorder. The main questions this study aims to address are: * Is a VR relaxation intervention feasible to implement and acceptable for individuals with insomnia? * Does the intervention reduce pre-sleep cognitive and somatic arousal? * Does the intervention improve sleep quality and sleep depth? * Can the intervention enhance overall sleep health and reduce symptoms of insomnia, anxiety, and depression? * Are these potential benefits maintained at a 3-month follow-up? Participants will be randomly assigned to either the intervention group or a waitlist control group. Researchers will compare outcomes between groups to evaluate the impact of the intervention. Participants will: * Complete online questionnaires at three time points (baseline, post-intervention, and 3-month follow-up) assessing sleep health, pre-sleep arousal, and symptoms of insomnia, anxiety, and depression * Take part in an in-person diagnostic interview at Université Laval to assess sleep and mental health status * Complete a daily online sleep diary for 8 weeks (2 weeks baseline, 4 weeks intervention, and 2 weeks post-intervention) * Engage in a 15-minute VR-guided meditation session each evening at home for 4 weeks * Wear a portable sleep monitor at home for 8 nights (4 nights baseline and 4 nights post-intervention) * Complete an acceptability questionnaire following the intervention

Who can participate

Age range

25 Years – 50 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: * Aged between 25 and 50 years * Experiencing difficulty initiating sleep, maintaining sleep, or early-morning awakenings at least three times per week for a minimum of three months * Residing within a 25-km radius of Université Laval Exclusion Criteria: * Diagnosis of serious medical conditions (e.g., cancer, neurological disorders, chronic pain) or major psychiatric disorders * Conditions that could be exacerbated by virtual reality devices (e.g., epilepsy, eye disorders, dizziness, balance disorders) * Adverse effects related to virtual reality use (e.g., dizziness, nausea) * Currently using prescription or over-the-counter sleep aids * Engaged in night shifts or rotating shift work

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

Pre-Sleep Arousal

Timeframe: Baseline (Day 1), end of intervention (Week 4), and 12 weeks after end of intervention (Week 16).

Trial details

NCT IDNCT07630532

SponsorLaval University

Sponsor typeOTHER

Study typeINTERVENTIONAL

Primary completion2027-01

Contact for this trial

William-Girard Journault, BA

581-998-6713 william-girard.journault.1@ulaval.ca

View on ClinicalTrials.gov More Insomnia Disorder trials