This clinical trial aims to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality(VR)-based exposure therapy for trauma symptoms related to COVID-19 infection. Theintervention targets healthcare workers and individuals from the general population whoexperienced pandemic-related psychological distress. The study assesses psychological andphysiological outcomes, including PTSD, anxiety, depression, HRV, and EEG biomarkers.
The project involves a two-phase clinical study. In Phase 1, VR exposure therapy content
is developed based on trauma management theory and tailored to specific participant
groups (e.g., COVID-19 survivors, healthcare workers). In Phase 2, randomized controlled
trials will compare VR treatment with standard therapy approaches (CBT, supportive
therapy) across two populations:
Healthcare workers involved in the care of COVID-19 patients Members of the general
public affected by social disaster-related psychological distress
Participants will undergo 5 weekly sessions of VR exposure therapy. Pre- and
post-intervention assessments will include standardized psychiatric scales (e.g., PHQ-9,
PCL-5), HRV, and EEG measurements. The trial aims to validate the efficacy and safety of
customized VR therapy protocols and identify relevant biomarkers for treatment
prediction.
Behavioral: VR Exposure Therapy
Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) is a form of psychotherapy that uses immersive
virtual environments to simulate trauma-related stimuli in a controlled and safe setting,
allowing individuals to gradually confront and process distressing memories or triggers.
VRET is grounded in prolonged exposure (PE) therapy, a well-established treatment for
PTSD and anxiety disorders.
In this study, VRET is delivered in 5 weekly sessions, each lasting approximately 50
minutes, using a customized VR system.
Sessions are tailored based on participant group (e.g., COVID-19 survivor vs. healthcare
worker).
Each session includes psychoeducation, exposure to individualized trauma-related virtual
scenes, and guided emotional processing.
The system incorporates eye-tracking, breathing exercises, and real-time subjective
distress scaling (SUDs) to monitor engagement and safety.
Behavioral: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
Face-to-face CBT with exposure elements, targeting trauma-related symptoms. Administered
in 5 weekly sessions.
Behavioral: Supportive Psychotherapy
Therapist-led supportive therapy (TAU), focusing on empathy, validation, and emotional
support without structured exposure.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Age 18-64, healthy population who survived from COVID-19 (COVID survivors) or
Healthcare Workers with PCL-5 ≥10, GAD-7/PHQ-9 ≥10
Exclusion Criteria:
- Pregnancy, neurological disorders, severe medical conditions
Not Provided
Ji Sun Kim, MD, PhD
82-10-9933-1286
ideal91@hanmail.net
Min Jung Park, RN
+82-10-4115-2642
0705pmj@naver.com
Ji Sun Kim, MD, PhD, Principal Investigator
Soonchunhyang University Hospital