VR-Enhanced EMDR for PTSD: A Feasibility Study
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A Multi-Centre, Randomised Controlled Feasibility Trial Comparing VR-Enhanced Blended Care versus Standard EMDR Therapy for Adults with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
IRAS ID
365747
Contact name
Francis Madden
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Reinhart
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
10.17605/OSF.IO/BM5VF, OSF Preregistration
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) can be very distressing, and while a standard treatment called EMDR helps many people, it is often limited by clinician availability. This study tests whether providing patients with a Virtual Reality (VR) headset to use at home, alongside their standard therapy, can safely and effectively improve outcomes.We will recruit 64 adults with PTSD from 4 sites (1 NHS and 2 private).
They will be randomly placed into one of two groups for a 6-week treatment period:
Control Group: Will receive 6 weekly sessions of standard in-person EMDR therapy.
Intervention Group: Will receive standard weekly in-person EMDR therapy, but in addition, they will be given a VR headset (called "EMDR-VR") to take home for a 3-week period. During this time, they will be asked to complete therapeutic "homework" exercises lasting 40-50 minutes, roughly 3 to 4 times a week (every other day).
We will ask participants to complete questionnaires about their symptoms at the start, middle, and end of their treatment. The VR device is CE-marked and currently recognised for use in Great Britain. This is a feasibility study to see if this "blended care" (clinic + home) approach is acceptable and safe for patients, and to gather preliminary data Real-World Evidence (RWE) to support a future UKCA mark application.
REC name
South East Scotland REC 02
REC reference
26/SS/0056
Date of REC Opinion
10 Jun 2026
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion