Slow BreathingVR_Stress_25NCT07191288
Assessing the Acute Effects of Virtual Reality Interventions on Stress
A study testing VR (VR-Breathing+Mystical), VR (VR-Mystical) and Computer (Non-VR-Breathing) in people with Slow Breathing, run by Prof. Dominique de Quervain, MD at 1 site in Switzerland.
Trial summary
A Four-Arm RCT, testing the acute effects of a Virtual Reality (VR)- based slow-paced breathing intervention on subjective and physiological markers of stress. The investigator hypothesize that combining slow breathing with immersive, mystical-type VR elements will result in the greatest stress reduction. Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 18 to 35 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- Slow Breathing
- What is being tested?
- VR (VR-Breathing+Mystical), VR (VR-Mystical) and Computer (Non-VR-Breathing)
- Type of treatment
- Medical device
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 120 participants
- Where
- 1 siteSwitzerland
- Study dates
- 5 Mar 2026to 31 Dec 2026
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Not yet: the study is under way
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 18 to 35 years
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult
Who may be able to join
- > 60 points on the PSQ-30 out of a maximum 120-point scale in the screening
- Healthy
- Aged between 18-35
- Fluent in German
Who cannot join
- A current diagnosis of psychiatric disorders (self-reported)
- Chronic medication use (except oral contraceptives)
- Parallel participation in another medical or psychological study
- Suicidal tendencies (PHQ-9 item 9 > 0)3
- PHQ-9 score ≥ 10
- A visual impairment not corrected by glasses or contact lenses
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country. Contact the study team or a site near you to ask about taking part.
Switzerland1 site, 1 recruiting
- Recruiting
University of Basel, Division of Cognitive Neuroscience
Basel, Canton of Basel-City, 4055
Dominique de Quervain, Prof. MD, +41 61 207 02 37, dominique.dequervain@unibas.ch
About this study
Official title: Assessing the Acute Effects of Virtual Reality Interventions on Stress: A Four-Arm RCT
A Four-Arm RCT, testing the acute effects of a Virtual Reality (VR)- based slow-paced breathing intervention on subjective and physiological markers of stress. The investigator hypothesize that combining slow breathing with immersive, mystical-type VR elements will result in the greatest stress reduction.
- Conditions
- Slow Breathing
- Being tested
- VR (VR-Breathing+Mystical), VR (VR-Mystical), Computer (Non-VR-Breathing), VR (VR-Control)
- Keywords
- Virtual Reality, Stress, Breathing, Biofeedback
- Medical subject headings
- Hypoventilation, Respiratory Aspiration
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
VR (VR-Breathing+Mystical)Device
The VR-based slow-paced breathing application is designed to provide rewarding biofeedback for a specific breathing pattern characterized by prolonged exhales. As users extend their exhales, a veil of fog gradually lifts, introducing a mystical type experience. Over time, users are rewarded with a full 360-degree panoramic view of the beautiful nature scene, accompanied by relaxing music. After approximately 5 minutes of prolonged exhales, the nature scene responds to the user's breathing by slowing down, with falling snowflakes moving more slowly, further enhancing the mystical atmosphere. This intervention was designed to be visually captivating, mystically evocative, and emotionally engaging. Duration: 10 minutes.
VR (VR-Mystical)Device
Users will experience the gradual unveiling of a beautiful natural landscape as the fog lifts, and eventually, the scene slows down similar to the VR Breathing+Mystical condition. However, this application does not provide any biofeedback or breathing instructions. Users are invited to passively observe the unfolding experience, immersing themselves in the environment for 10 minutes. Relaxing music accompanies the scene. This condition relies solely on the immersive and aesthetic qualities of the virtual environment to potentially induce relaxation.
Computer (Non-VR-Breathing)Device
In this conventional breathing intervention, participants will be instructed to follow a slow-paced breathing pattern guided by a simple visual cue (an expanding and contracting circle) displayed on a computer screen for 10 minutes. This condition is designed to guide slow-paced breathing without incorporating any rewarding elements.
VR (VR-Control)Drug
In the control condition, participants will watch a neutral documentary for 10 minutes in VR. This condition is used to control for the effects of the immersive VR experience. It does not include any components related to guided breathing or mystical-type content, or any form of rewarding elements.
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| VR-Breathing+Mystical | Experimental | Participants engage in guided slow-paced breathing using VR that provides mystical-type visual feedback. Receives: Device: VR (VR-Breathing+Mystical) |
| VR-Mystical | Experimental | Participants passively view the same nature scene as in the first condition (VR-Breathing+Mystical), but without guided breathing instructions (i.e., they breathe naturally). Receives: Device: VR (VR-Mystical) |
| Non-VR-Breathing | Experimental | Participants follow a slow-paced breathing pattern guided by a simple visual cue (expanding/contracting circle) on a standard computer screen. Receives: Device: Computer (Non-VR-Breathing) |
| VR-Control | Sham comparator | To control for the effects of experiencing VR, participants will watch a neutral documentary in a video player implemented in VR. Receives: Drug: VR (VR-Control) |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
Subjective stress
Subjective stress measured using visual analogue scales (VAS) on a computer
Measured: Assessed before and after the 10-minute interventions.
Secondary outcomes (9)
Mood
Mood measured using visual analogue scales (VAS) on a computer.
Measured: Assessed before and after the 10-minute interventions.
Anxiety
Anxiety measured using visual analogue scales (VAS) on a computer.
Measured: Assessed before and after the 10-minute interventions.
Relaxation
Relaxation measured using visual analogue scales (VAS) on a computer.
Measured: Assessed before and after the 10-minute interventions.
Electrodermal Activity
Physiological responses measured via Electrodermal Activity.
Measured: Assessed during the 10-minute interventions.
Respiration
Physiological responses measured via Piezoelectric Sensor (detecting variations in abdominal movement during respiration).
Measured: Assessed during the 10-minute interventions.
Blood volume pulse
Blood volume pulse measured via Photoplethysmography.
Measured: Assessed during the 10-minute interventions.
Heart rate (variability)
Heart rate outcomes (e.g., HR, HRV) measured via Electrocardiogram.
Measured: Assessed during the 10-minute interventions.
Perceived mysticality
Perceived mysticality assessed using the Mystical Experience Questionnaire-30 questionnaire.
Measured: Assessed after the 10-minute interventions.
User experience
Average user experience measured via visual analogue scales (VAS) on a computer.
Measured: Assessed after the 10-minute interventions.
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted24 Sep 2025
- Study start5 Mar 2026
- Primary completion31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Other trials for Slow BreathingStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Enrolment
- 120 participants (estimated)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Prof. Dominique de Quervain, MD
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Responsible party
- Sponsor-investigator, Prof. Dominique de Quervain, MD, University of Basel
- Investigators
- Dominique de Quervain, Prof. MD, Study chair, University of Basel, Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neuroscience
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07191288
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2025-01814
- Other IDs
- 2025
- Acronym
- VR_Stress_25
- Status last verified
- Nov 2026
- First submitted
- 17 Sep 2025
- Last updated
- 3 Nov 2026
- Results posted
- No
- Data monitoring committee
- No
- FDA-regulated drug
- No
- FDA-regulated device
- No
- Individual data sharing
- Yes: All IPD (de-identified) that underline results in a publication will be shared upon reasonable request.
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 3 Nov 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- Assessing the Acute Effects of Virtual Reality Interventions on Stress: A Four-Arm RCT
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT07191288
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- VR_Stress_25 / 2025-01814
- Conditions
- Slow Breathing
- Keywords
- Virtual Reality, Stress, Breathing, Biofeedback
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Recruiting
- Enrolment
- 120 participants (estimated)
- Lead sponsor
- Prof. Dominique de Quervain, MDUniversity, hospital or other
- Study start
- 5 Mar 2026 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- Study completion
- 31 Dec 2026 (estimated)
- First posted
- 24 Sep 2025 (actual)
- Results
- Not posted in the source record
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
A Four-Arm RCT, testing the acute effects of a Virtual Reality (VR)- based slow-paced breathing intervention on subjective and physiological markers of stress. The investigator hypothesize that combining slow breathing with immersive, mystical-type VR elements will result in the greatest stress reduction.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Treatment
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Parallel groups
- Masking
- None (open label)
- Number of arms
- 4
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| VR-Breathing+Mystical | Experimental | Device: VR (VR-Breathing+Mystical)Participants engage in guided slow-paced breathing using VR that provides mystical-type visual feedback. |
| VR-Mystical | Experimental | Device: VR (VR-Mystical)Participants passively view the same nature scene as in the first condition (VR-Breathing+Mystical), but without guided breathing instructions (i.e., they breathe naturally). |
| Non-VR-Breathing | Experimental | Device: Computer (Non-VR-Breathing)Participants follow a slow-paced breathing pattern guided by a simple visual cue (expanding/contracting circle) on a standard computer screen. |
| VR-Control | Sham comparator | Drug: VR (VR-Control)To control for the effects of experiencing VR, participants will watch a neutral documentary in a video player implemented in VR. |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 18 to 35 years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult
Key inclusion criteria (4 listed)
- > 60 points on the PSQ-30 out of a maximum 120-point scale in the screening
- Healthy
- Aged between 18-35
- Fluent in German
Key exclusion criteria (6 listed)
- A current diagnosis of psychiatric disorders (self-reported)
- Chronic medication use (except oral contraceptives)
- Parallel participation in another medical or psychological study
- Suicidal tendencies (PHQ-9 item 9 > 0)3
- PHQ-9 score ≥ 10
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| VR (VR-Breathing+Mystical)The VR-based slow-paced breathing application is designed to provide rewarding biofeedback for a specific breathing pattern characterized by prolonged exhales. As users extend their exhales, a veil of fog gradually lifts, introducing a mystical type experience. Over time, users are rewarded with a full 360-degree panoramic view of the beautiful nature scene, accompanied by relaxing music. After approximately 5 minutes of prolonged exhales, the nature scene responds to the user's breathing by slowing down, with falling snowflakes moving more slowly, further enhancing the mystical atmosphere. This intervention was designed to be visually captivating, mystically evocative, and emotionally engaging. Duration: 10 minutes. | Device | VR-Breathing+Mystical |
| VR (VR-Mystical)Users will experience the gradual unveiling of a beautiful natural landscape as the fog lifts, and eventually, the scene slows down similar to the VR Breathing+Mystical condition. However, this application does not provide any biofeedback or breathing instructions. Users are invited to passively observe the unfolding experience, immersing themselves in the environment for 10 minutes. Relaxing music accompanies the scene. This condition relies solely on the immersive and aesthetic qualities of the virtual environment to potentially induce relaxation. | Device | VR-Mystical |
| Computer (Non-VR-Breathing)In this conventional breathing intervention, participants will be instructed to follow a slow-paced breathing pattern guided by a simple visual cue (an expanding and contracting circle) displayed on a computer screen for 10 minutes. This condition is designed to guide slow-paced breathing without incorporating any rewarding elements. | Device | Non-VR-Breathing |
| VR (VR-Control)In the control condition, participants will watch a neutral documentary for 10 minutes in VR. This condition is used to control for the effects of the immersive VR experience. It does not include any components related to guided breathing or mystical-type content, or any form of rewarding elements. | Drug | VR-Control |
Primary outcome
Subjective stress
Time frame: Assessed before and after the 10-minute interventions.
Subjective stress measured using visual analogue scales (VAS) on a computer
9 secondary outcomes
Mood
Time frame: Assessed before and after the 10-minute interventions.
Anxiety
Time frame: Assessed before and after the 10-minute interventions.
Relaxation
Time frame: Assessed before and after the 10-minute interventions.
Electrodermal Activity
Time frame: Assessed during the 10-minute interventions.
Respiration
Time frame: Assessed during the 10-minute interventions.
Blood volume pulse
Time frame: Assessed during the 10-minute interventions.
Heart rate (variability)
Time frame: Assessed during the 10-minute interventions.
Perceived mysticality
Time frame: Assessed after the 10-minute interventions.
User experience
Time frame: Assessed after the 10-minute interventions.
Results and safety
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 3 Nov 2026.
- Individual participant dataSharing planned: Yes. All IPD (de-identified) that underline results in a publication will be shared upon reasonable request.
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Healthy Adult Participants
Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part.
Dominique de Quervain, Prof. MD study chair
University of Basel, Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neuroscience
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing VR (VR-Breathing+Mystical), VR (VR-Mystical) and Computer (Non-VR-Breathing) in people with Slow Breathing, run by Prof. Dominique de Quervain, MD at 1 site in Switzerland.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
The sponsor lists 4 inclusion and 6 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: looking for participants now, as of the sponsor's last update on 3 Nov 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in Switzerland. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
This study is still under way. Results are not available in the source record yet.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
Contact Fabian Mueller, Msc (+41612070272, fabi.mueller@unibas.ch), or a site near the patient. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
Subjective stress (time frame: Assessed before and after the 10-minute interventions.). It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 3 Nov 2026.