The Effect of Immersive VR Distraction on Memory: Study 2

Not Applicable

Completed

• Conditions: Immersive Virtual Reality

• Registration Number: NCT07183839
• Lead Sponsor: University of Washington

Brief Summary

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.

Detailed Description

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.

Study Timeline

• Study Start: 2024-05-31
• Primary Completion: 2025-02-11
• Study Completion: 2025-02-11
• Status Verified: 2025-09
• Study First Submitted: 2025-09-10
• Study First Submitted QC: 2025-09-14
• Last Update Submitted: 2025-09-14
• Study First Posted: 2025-09-19
• Last Update Posted: 2025-09-19

Recruitment & Eligibility

• Status: COMPLETED
• Sex: All
• Target Recruitment: 20

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

Study & Design

• Study Type: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Design: CROSSOVER

Primary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
Word Recall accuracy	begin 15 seconds after the last word	Number of study words recalled during an immediate recall task
Subjective ratings of Distraction	Measured immediately after the free recall of each word list.	Participants rated how distracted they were in each treatment condition

Secondary Outcome Measures

Name	Time	Method
During Phase 2, VR pain reduction was measured	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

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Washington; 🇺🇸 Seattle, Washington, United States