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Reducing Mental Health Stigmatization Among Healthcare Workers and Students Using a Virtual Reality Protocol: The VIRTUS Protocol

RecruitingNAAges 18 Years - 65 YearsAllCentre Hospitalier Henri Laborit
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In plain words

What the trial is, and whether it could suit you

Schizophrenia is a chronic psychiatric disorder, frequently associated with stigma, including within healthcare settings, that significantly impairs quality of life and symptoms. Virtual Reality (VR), as an immersive tool, may allow healthy individuals to experience the first-person perspective of a patient undergoing psychotic symptoms. VR exposure may facilitate perspective-taking, fosters empathy, and studies suggest VR could be a valuable tool to reduce stigma. However, the findings remain incomplete, with considerable variation between protocols and no data on implicit stigma. This study is designed to evaluate the effectiveness of a VR protocol simulating psychotic symptoms on explicit and implicit stigma. Methods and Analysis A randomized controlled trial involving 128 participants will be conducted. Participants will include healthcare workers and students (medicine, nursing, or

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📋 Eligibility rules (as published)
Inclusion Criteria: * aged between 18 and 65 * currently employed as a healthcare professional or enrolled as a advanced-grade student in medicine, nursing, or psychology * no history of psychiatric or addictive disorders (except for tobacco dependence) * covered by French social security * able to provide informed written consent after receiving appropriate information. Exclusion Criteria: * current or past psychiatric or addictive disorder (except tobacco dependence) * use of antipsychotic medication; first-degree family history of schizophrenia; cognitive impairment * susceptibility to cybersickness * recent (\<1 year) or acute neurological disorders * history of epilepsy * known otorhinolaryngologic conditions causing vertigo, nausea or vomiting * pregnancy or breastfeeding * legal protection measures * any condition, in the investigator's opinion that would prevent valid questionnaire completion.
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What it tests

  • VIRTUS
  • VR Control
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Where

2 sites
Unité de Recherche Clinique (URC), Centre Hospitalier Henri Laborit
Poitiers, France
Centre Hospitalier Nord-Deux-Sèvres
Thouars, France
🤝 Taking part is your choice, and you can leave at any time. Only the trial team can confirm you are eligible — always decide together with your own doctor.
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