Bringing the Outdoors In: Virtual Nature Walks for Depression in Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Patients

Part of paid clinical trials in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

Sponsor
University of Michigan
Study ID
NCT07392879
Status
Recruiting
Apply to this trial

Conditions

Eligibility Criteria

Sex
ALL
Age
18 Years - N/A
Healthy Volunteers
Not accepted

Interventions

  • Virtual Reality — DEVICE
    Participant will have 8 weeks of immersive VR nature-based experiences. Participants are expected to use the VR headset three times per week. Headsets will contain a prototype application (app) developed by Explore POV. This app will include approximately one hour of footage showcasing 15-25 different nature experiences, that will shuffle every time participants access it. Participants will have the option to choose between 5, 10, or 15 minutes, sessions while answering weekly surveys regarding their experiences.
  • Standard care — OTHER
    Participants that are in the randomized groups will continue on antidepressants or psychotherapy during the study per their standard care. Participants in the non-randomized group don't receive any treatment for their depression and will continue not to receive anything for this during the study.

Study Details

This trial explores the use of immersive virtual reality (VR) nature-based experiences as a supplementary treatment for depression in individuals with progressive multiple sclerosis (MS). This study will evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of at-home VR deployment using the Apple Vision Pro, an advanced device that offers enhanced resolution, immersion, and usability compared to earlier VR systems. The study hypotheses include: * The integration of VR nature-based experiences with standard care will be feasible, acceptable, and will result in greater reductions in depressive symptoms compared to standard care or VR-only interventions. * The integration of VR nature-based experiences with standard care will result in greater reductions in stress and anxiety, better sleep, less insomnia, and improved fatigue compared to standard care alone or VR-only interventions.

Key Dates

Start date
Dec 15, 2025
Status verified
Feb 2026
Primary completion
Apr 30, 2027
Completion
Apr 30, 2027

Study Design

Enrollment
40 participants (estimated)
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Intervention model
CROSSOVER
Primary purpose
TREATMENT

Arms

  • Experimental: Virtual reality plus standard care (SC) then SC alone - randomized group
    Participants in this group are maintained on antidepressants or psychotherapy and will receive VR nature sessions alongside participants' current depression treatments. This will be followed by a 1-week washout period, after which they crossover to standard care only.
  • Experimental: Standard care alone then Virtual reality plus SC- randomized group
    Participants in this group are maintained on standard depression treatments and will continue standard care for eight weeks. This will be followed by a 1-week washout period and crossover to VR plus Standard Care.
  • Experimental: Virtual Reality - non-randomized group
    Participants that are not receiving any treatment for depression will receive VR nature sessions for 8 weeks without depression treatments for eight weeks followed by 1 week washout and 8 weeks of no VR.

Primary Outcome Measure

Changes to the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS) Depression short form 8b scores [ Time Frame: Baseline, 9-10 weeks and 20-21 weeks ]

Central Contacts

Locations (1)

FacilityCityStateZIPSite coordinators
University of MichiganAnn ArborMichigan48109
Zee Petrie
[email protected]
734- 764- 5249
Hala Darwish, PhD (PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR)

Find similar trials in Ann Arbor, MI

By condition
Depression
By specialty
PsychiatryMental healthBehavioral health
By research site
University of Michigan· Ann Arbor, MI

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