University of Washington
Seattle, Washington, 98195, United States
Completed
NCT Number: NCT07183839
The Effect of Immersive VR Distraction on Memory: Study 2
This study measures how many words people can recall. Some words are studied/heard/learned while in immersive Virtual Reality, and some are studied/heard/learned while in a plausible control distraction.
Completed
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Conditions
Age range
18 year and older
Sex eligibility
All sexes
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Not applicable
Primary location
About this study
In this Study (n=20), participants recalled word lists during a plausible semi-immersive control condition (passive Apple Vision Pro see-through mode) versus during interactive immersive VR. Participants also later received brief heat pain stimuli during No VR versus immersive VR and provided pain and anxiety and distraction ratings on 0-10 graphic rating scales.
Who can participate
Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes
Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.
Inclusion criteria
- Currently enrolled in a course at the University of Washington Psychology Dept., participating in the UW Psychology subject pool
- Able to read, write and comprehend English
- Able to complete study measures
- Willing to follow our UW approved instructions
- 18 years of age or older
Exclusion criteria
- People who have already previously participated in this same study (e.g., last quarter) are not eligible to participate again.
- Not enrolled in a course at the University of Washington Psychology Dept., not participating in the UW Psychology subject pool
- Not be able to read, write and comprehend English
- Younger than 18 years of age.
- Not capable of completing measures
- Not capable of indicating pain intensity,
- Not capable of filling out study measures,
- Extreme susceptibility to motion sickness,
- Seizure history,
- Unusual sensitivity or lack of sensitivity to pain,
- Sensitive skin,
- Sensitive feet
- Migraines
- Diabetes
Treatment and study plan
Immersive Virtual Reality
BehavioralWhile wearing an immersive VR helmet, participants grabbed virtual objects andd put them into a bowl of virtual water, while memorizing a list of words from the real world.
Plausible control condition
BehavioralParticipant passively viewed the laboratory room they saw while wearing Apple Vision Pro goggles, while memorizing a list of words read to them from the real world.
Primary outcomes
-
Word Recall accuracy
Time frame: begin 15 seconds after the last word
Number of study words recalled during an immediate recall task
-
Subjective ratings of Distraction
Time frame: Measured immediately after the free recall of each word list.
Participants rated how distracted they were in each treatment condition
Secondary outcomes
-
During Phase 2, VR pain reduction was measured
Time frame: subjective pain ratings measured immediately after each brief thermal stimulus
graphic ratings of worst pain intensity and other GRS pain ratings during brief thermal stimulation
Sponsors and collaborators
Lead sponsor
University of Washington
Other
Registry information
Official study title
Immersive Virtual Reality Induces Procedural Analgesia, Anxiolysis and Anterograde Amnesia:A Randomized Controlled Study 2
Important dates
- Study start
- 2024
- Primary completion
- 2025
- Study completion
- 2025
- First posted
- Sep 19, 2025
- Registry last updated
- Sep 24, 2025
OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.
View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.