RecruitingNot ApplicableInterventional

Adding virtual reality to talking therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder: a feasibility study

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop after traumatic or frightening events. A talking therapy called EMDR (eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing) is widely recommended on the NHS, but getting frequent in-person appointments can be challenging. This study tests whether adding virtual reality (VR) exercises at home to standard EMDR therapy is safe, practical, and acceptable to patients. Adults with PTSD will receive six weekly in-person sessions with a qualified therapist. Half of the participants will also be given a VR headset to practise guided therapeutic exercises at home for three weeks. Researchers want to see if this blended approach helps people stay engaged with their recovery. Because this is an early feasibility study, the findings will help doctors decide if a larger trial should take place across the UK in the future.

At a glance

Status

Recruiting

Phase

Not Applicable

Sponsor

Reinhart Group Ltd

Enrolment target

Start

24 Aug 2026

Estimated completion

28 Feb 2027

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

What is this study about?

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a condition that can cause distressing flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety after experiencing or witnessing traumatic events. A talking therapy known as eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR) is one of the main treatments recommended by the NHS. In EMDR, a therapist guides your eye movements while you briefly focus on traumatic memories, helping your brain reprocess them so they feel less painful. However, standard therapy is often limited by how many clinic appointments are available.

This study looks at a new way to deliver care by combining regular clinic visits with home technology. Researchers want to find out whether giving patients a virtual reality (VR) headset to use at home alongside their clinic appointments can boost their treatment. Using the headset, patients can practise guided therapeutic exercises in a safe, controlled way between their appointments.

Because this is a feasibility study, its main purpose is to test how practical and safe the setup is in everyday life. The researchers want to know whether patients find the VR software easy to use, whether therapists can monitor progress properly, and if people feel supported throughout. If this trial is successful, it could lead to larger studies and potentially make trauma therapy more flexible and widely available.

Key takeaways

Tests whether adding home virtual reality to regular EMDR therapy works well for PTSD.
Open to adults aged 18 and over diagnosed with single-event or complex PTSD.
All participants receive six weekly sessions of evidence-based EMDR therapy.
Half of the participants will also use a VR headset at home for three weeks.
The trial takes place at three clinical centres in Bath and London.

Who may be eligible?

This trial is open to adults aged 18 and over who have an official diagnosis of PTSD related to single or repeated traumatic events. Participants must be comfortable speaking and reading English so they can use the software and complete question forms. Because this is a randomised trial, you must also be willing to be placed into either the standard therapy group or the VR group.

You cannot take part if you are already receiving another structured talking therapy for PTSD or anxiety, or if you are dealing with severe drug or alcohol addiction. The trial is also not suitable for people with active suicidal thoughts, severe depression needing hospital care, or conditions like psychosis or dissociative identity disorder, where home trauma work could be unsafe.

In addition, people with medical conditions that make VR or EMDR unsafe cannot join. This includes uncontrolled seizures or epilepsy, severe motion sickness, or serious vision problems that prevent the comfortable use of a VR headset.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

I am aged 18 or over.
A doctor or mental health professional has diagnosed me with PTSD.
I can speak and read English well enough to use digital apps and fill in forms.
I am not currently doing another talking therapy for PTSD or anxiety.
I do not have a history of severe motion sickness, epilepsy, or seizures.

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

Taking part in the study lasts around six weeks. All participants receive six weekly, one-hour sessions of standard EMDR talking therapy with a qualified clinician at a clinic in Bath or London. Everyone is randomly placed by computer into one of two groups: one group receives standard EMDR therapy alone, while the other group receives standard therapy plus a VR headset to take home.

If you are in the VR group, you will take the headset home for three weeks. You will be asked to use it for about 40 to 50 minutes roughly every other day to do guided therapeutic exercises. Your therapist will monitor your progress each week and adjust your plan if needed. No new medications are involved in this study. All participants will fill out short questionnaires about their mood, anxiety, and PTSD symptoms at the start, at the three-week mark, and at the end of the six weeks.

Potential risks and benefits

Every participant receives standard EMDR therapy, an evidence-based treatment recommended by NHS guidelines. Those in the VR group may also benefit from more frequent, flexible practice at home, though this extra benefit is still being tested. Working through trauma can sometimes bring up difficult feelings, and using a VR headset can occasionally cause mild eye strain, slight nausea, or balance issues. The study team reduces these risks through hands-on clinic training, strict limits on headset use, grounding tools, weekly check-ins, and a clear emergency support plan. Taking part is completely voluntary, and you can withdraw at any time without your regular NHS care being affected.

Locations (3)

Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust
City only
Bath, England
Nightingale Hospital
Approximate
London, England
The Soke
City only
London, England

Common questions

What is EMDR therapy?

EMDR stands for Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing. It is an approved talking therapy that uses guided eye movements or taps to help your brain process difficult memories so they cause less distress.

Do I have to pay for the VR headset?

No. If you are placed in the virtual reality group, the headset and software are provided for you to use free of charge during the study.

Can I choose which group I am in?

No. A computer randomly decides which group you join (like flipping a coin) to ensure the study results are fair and unbiased.

What if I feel dizzy or sick while using the headset?

You can take the headset off at any moment. You will be trained on how to stop exercises safely, and your therapist will review any side effects with you each week.

What happens if I decide I want to stop?

You are free to leave the study at any time. Leaving will not affect your right to standard medical treatment or your relationship with your healthcare team.

How to find out more

Francis Madden

francis@reinhart.uk +44 (0)7474589637 Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.