Virtual Reality Digital Therapeutics for Seasonal Affective Disorder

Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) affects approximately 1 in 20 people in the UK during the winter months, with significant impacts on wellbeing and productivity. SAD is commonly treated with bright light treatment, alone or in combination with psychological therapy or antidepressants. Virtual reality (VR) is an immersive computer-generated environment. VR technology has been applied to treat a range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and stress. However, the possible contribution of this technology to the treatment of SAD has not been explored. This study aims to test the effectiveness of a VR intervention in alleviating symptoms of SAD compared to standard bright light treatment.

The investigators aim to recruit 60 participants who self-identify or have been diagnosed with SAD and who report moderate to severe symptoms. Participants are also required to be 18 years or older, a UK resident and able to access internet and attend the Anglia Ruskin University Cambridge campus. Participants will be excluded from the study if they declare suffering from epilepsy or having previously experienced adverse effects when using VR or light box devices. Participants will also be excluded if they are taking photosensitizing medications or have significant retinal pathology, or if they are currently receiving active treatment for SAD, including antidepressant medication, bright light treatment, or psychological treatment (such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). Recruitment will occur during the winter months, between November 2025 and March 2026.

After consenting, potential participants will be asked to complete some measures assessing their typical seasonal mood variation, to check eligibility to participate. If eligible, they will be asked to complete demographic questions and questionnaires measuring their current mood state and symptoms. Participants will then be randomly allocated to either the VR condition or the light box condition. Those allocated to the VR-condition, will be instructed to use the VR headset for 10 minutes within the first hour after waking, every day for 14 days. Those allocated to the light box intervention, will be instructed to use the light box for 30 minutes within the first hour after waking, every day for 14 days. Before and after each session, participants will be asked to record their current mood. At the end of the 14-day period, participants will return the headset or the light box and complete the final symptom and mood state questionnaires and questions regarding their experience. One week later, participants will be asked to complete a follow-up questionnaire about their mood and symptoms.

Inclusion criteria

• fluent in English and capable of giving informed consent
• 18 or older
• resident in the United Kingdom and
• able to access internet and attend Anglia Ruskin University's Cambridge campus
• must self-identify or have been diagnosed with SAD, with moderate to severe symptoms

Exclusion criteria

• declared suffering from epilepsy (due to the risk that seizures may be triggered by VR use).
• currently using photosensitizing medications or have significant retinal pathology, due to potentially detrimental effects of light box use. For other ophthalmologic conditions, consultation with an ophthalmologist will be recommended.
• currently receiving active treatment for SAD, including antidepressant medication (less than 3 months), bright light treatment, or psychotherapy (e.g. CBT for seasonal affective disorder).