Virtual reality hypnotherapy device to ease anxiety after stroke
Tests a virtual reality hypnotherapy device for anxiety in adults after stroke.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Virtual Reality-based Mindfulness Training for Mental Health After Stroke
Key facts
- Where
- Geneva, SwitzerlandSee the site
Where in Switzerland
- Geneva University HospitalsGeneva, SwitzerlandNo longer taking part
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- Nicolas Nicastro
- Trial code
- NCT07614373
- Record updated
- 29 May 2026
- Original description
Background: anxiety has a high prevalence in stroke patients and can dampen recovery of motor and cognitive impairment. Psychotropic medication can induce cognitive side effects, while psychotherapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction programs can be difficult to implement and are demanding for patients.Read full original descriptionShow less
Virtual Reality-based Mindfulness Training for Mental Health After Stroke
Background: anxiety has a high prevalence in stroke patients and can dampen recovery of motor and cognitive impairment. Psychotropic medication can induce cognitive side effects, while psychotherapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction programs can be difficult to implement and are demanding for patients.
Aim: to evaluate the effect of a virtual reality (VR)-based medical device (HypnoVR®) on anxiety and stress reduction in patients with chronic stroke. Other outcomes, including depression, neurological fatigue and quality of life will be assessed.
Methodology: a randomized controlled trial including patients who had an ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke (>6 months) and experience significant anxiety - Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) ≥ 8 for anxiety. Intervention includes 3 weekly HypnoVR® sessions for 3 weeks (total: 9), with clinical assessments at baseline, post-intervention (end of week 3) and at a 8-week follow-up. The sessions will be supervised by a research assistant and will take place in our outpatient clinic. Participants will be randomly assigned to either an immediate treatment group or a delayed treatment group (waiting list), the latter acting as both controls and active participants.
Potential significance: VR-based therapeutic interventions are emerging as promising solutions to improve mental health but require solid scientific studies to assess their efficacy. This study provides a safe, non-invasive intervention for all included participants and could unveil its potential as an adjunctive therapy for mental health issues after stroke.
Inclusion: Ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke >6 months before inclusion; Anxiety-HAD score at inclusion >= 8.
Exclusion: Photo-sensitive epilepsy; unstable psychiatric condition; Blindness; Deafness.