Active not recruitingNAINTERVENTIONAL

Contribution of Virtual Reality Eye Tracking in the Identification of Schizophrenia, Bipolar and Depression

This research is looking into whether using virtual reality with special eye-tracking technology can help doctors better identify conditions like schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression. People with these conditions often struggle with everyday life, and understanding their specific eye movements might offer a new way to diagnose them more quickly and accurately. The study explores whether unique eye movement patterns linked to these mental health conditions can be spotted in a virtual world. Researchers think that eye movements are controlled by parts of the brain that are sometimes affected in these disorders. By recording how people's eyes move in a virtual environment, the scientists hope to find clear differences that could lead to improved diagnostic tools.

At a glance

Status

Active not recruiting

Phase

Sponsor

Etablissement Public de Santé Barthélemy Durand

Enrolment target

120

Start

12 Feb 2026

Estimated completion

01 Feb 2029

Psychiatric Disorders (Diagnosis)

What is this study about?

This study is investigating new ways to diagnose certain mental health conditions, specifically schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression. These conditions can have a big impact on a person's life, and finding faster, more reliable ways to identify them is really important. Doctors currently rely on talking to patients and observing their behaviour, but this study hopes to add a new tool.

The research focuses on eye movements. Our eyes are constantly moving, and how they move can tell us a lot about how our brains are working. In people with certain mental health conditions, the parts of the brain that control these movements might work a bit differently. This can lead to subtle changes in how their eyes move. Previous studies have noticed some of these differences, but this research is taking it a step further by using virtual reality (VR).

Imagine wearing a special headset that lets you step into a virtual world. This headset also has technology to track your eye movements very precisely. Researchers believe that by putting people into these virtual environments, they can create situations that are closer to real life. They hope to see if the unique eye movement patterns linked to schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression can be spotted and accurately distinguished from each other, and from people without these conditions, within this VR setting. This could lead to better and earlier diagnosis in the future.

Key takeaways

New study exploring eye movements to diagnose mental health conditions.
Uses virtual reality (VR) and eye-tracking technology.
Focuses on schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression.
Hopes to find unique eye movement 'markers' for these conditions.
Could lead to faster, more accurate diagnosis methods.

Who may be eligible?

To join this study, you need to be between 18 and 60 years old. If you have been diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or depression, your condition needs to have been stable for at least three months. We also need your clear written agreement to take part.

However, there are some reasons why you might not be able to join. These include certain serious health problems, specific eye conditions that might affect how you use the VR headset, a history of head injuries with unconsciousness, epilepsy, or intellectual disability. It's also important that you can understand French, as that's the language the study will be conducted in. If you've had issues with drug or alcohol abuse in the last six months (excluding tobacco), or if you've experienced motion sickness from virtual reality in the past, you also won't be able to participate.

For those joining as healthy volunteers, it's important that you don't have any current or past mental health conditions and aren't taking any psychiatric medication.

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.

Are you between 18 and 60 years old?
If you have a mental health condition, has it been stable for at least 3 months?
Do you have any serious existing health problems or specific eye conditions?
Have you ever experienced motion sickness from virtual reality?
Can you understand and speak French comfortably?

Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you decide to take part in this study, you will have assessments that include answering questions and questionnaires. The main part of your involvement will be using a virtual reality headset that tracks your eye movements. These special eye-tracking measurements will be taken while you are in the VR environment. The researchers will then compare your eye movements with those of other participants. At this stage, it's not expected that you will need to take any new medication as part of the study. The total duration of your involvement will likely be a single session or a few sessions, primarily focused on the VR eye-tracking tasks. There is no long-term follow-up mentioned, suggesting it's a one-off assessment.

Potential risks and benefits

Taking part in this study might offer a chance to contribute to scientific understanding that could help improve how mental health conditions are diagnosed in the future. While there are no direct benefits to your treatment, your involvement could help others. Potential risks are generally low, but some people might experience mild discomfort or motion sickness from the virtual reality headset. You are free to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your care.

Locations (1)

Etablissement Public de Santé Barthélemy Durand
Verified postcode
Étampes, France

Common questions

What is 'eye-tracking'?

Eye-tracking is a special technology that records exactly where your eyes are looking and how they move. It's like a scientific way of watching what catches your attention.

How does virtual reality (VR) fit in?

VR creates a computer-generated world that you can experience with a special headset. In this study, your eye movements will be measured while you're in these virtual environments.

Will using VR cause me motion sickness?

Some people can feel a bit queasy or dizzy when using VR. If you've had 'cybersickness' before, you won't be able to join the study.

Is this a new treatment?

No, this study is about finding new ways to diagnose schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression, not about testing a new treatment.

What happens to my information?

The information gathered from your eye movements and questionnaires will be analysed to look for patterns and differences between the groups, helping researchers understand eye movements in these conditions.