Virtual Reality Meditation for Voice Disorders

Overseen By Bradley R Hoff, MA, CCC-SLP

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Disqualifiers: Advanced lung disease, laryngectomy, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 4

Duration: 4 weeks

40 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests whether immersive virtual reality meditation can enhance therapy results for individuals with voice disorders. Participants will use a VR headset for calming meditation sessions before their voice therapy. The goal is to determine if this approach can reduce anxiety and improve focus and vocal control. Individuals with voice disorders who often feel anxious and can commit to a 5-week schedule may be suitable candidates. As an unphased study, this trial offers a unique opportunity to explore innovative therapy methods that could enhance the treatment experience.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It's best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your doctor.

What prior data suggests that immersive virtual reality meditation is safe for use in voice therapy?

Studies have shown that immersive virtual reality (IVR) is generally safe and well-tolerated in healthcare. Research indicates that IVR can manage pain and anxiety without causing serious side effects. In mental health treatments, IVR has improved therapy results, demonstrating its ability to safely aid focus and reduce stress. Although using IVR for meditation in voice therapy is new, its success in other areas suggests it is a safe and effective method. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about using immersive virtual reality (VR) meditation for voice disorders because it offers a novel way to enhance relaxation and mental focus before voice therapy. Unlike traditional meditation, which relies solely on verbal guidance, VR meditation immerses participants in a calming virtual environment, potentially boosting the therapeutic effects by making it easier to engage with the practice. This approach might help patients achieve better results from voice therapy sessions by reducing anxiety and enhancing concentration, setting it apart from standard care options that do not incorporate such advanced technology.

What evidence suggests that immersive virtual reality meditation could be effective for voice disorders?

This trial will compare different meditation approaches for voice disorders. Participants in one arm will receive immersive virtual reality (IVR) meditation before voice therapy. Studies have shown that IVR meditation can improve mental health and mindfulness. Research suggests that virtual reality aids in focusing and reducing stress. This is especially promising for voice therapy, where lowering anxiety and boosting focus could improve vocal control and participation. Although using IVR meditation for voice disorders is new, its success in mental health suggests potential benefits. By helping users relax and concentrate, IVR meditation might enhance responses to voice therapy, aiding in stress management and better voice regulation. ^{1 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Ümit Daşdöğen, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Principal Investigator

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Department of Otolaryngology

Bradley R Hoff, MA, CCC-SLP

Principal Investigator

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, Department of Otolaryngology

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals with functional voice disorders or general voice disorders. Participants should be interested in exploring the use of immersive virtual reality (IVR) as part of their voice therapy sessions to potentially improve treatment outcomes.

Inclusion Criteria

Must have availability to participate for entire course of 5 consistent weeks

I have voice problems and feel anxious.

Exclusion Criteria

Anyone not meeting inclusion criteria

Presence of any additional medical condition significantly affecting lingual function

I have a medical condition that affects my throat or voice box function.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

1 week

Pre-intervention

Participants undergo baseline assessments including vocal quality and anxiety measures

1 week

Treatment

Participants receive voice therapy with or without immersive virtual reality meditation over 4 sessions

4 weeks

4 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in vocal quality and anxiety post-treatment

1 week

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Immersive Virtual Reality Meditation

Trial Overview The study tests if guided meditations via IVR at the start of voice therapy can help with vocal production, focus, and reduce vocal hyperfunction. It uses the TRIPP app on Meta Quest 2 VR headsets to see if it enhances engagement and control during therapy.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Meditation without VR Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

Those who receive meditation with verbal guidance only prior to voice therapy each of the 4 sessions.

Group II: Meditation with VR Experimental Treatment 3 Interventions

Those who receive meditation in immersive virtual reality prior to voice therapy each of the 4 sessions.

Group III: No Meditation Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Those who receive standard voice therapy with no meditation.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai

Lead Sponsor

Trials

933

Recruited

579,000+

Citations

1. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07176013

Immersive Virtual Reality Meditation in Voice Therapy The study seeks to determine whether IVR can enhance therapy outcomes by improving engagement, attention, and vocal control in individuals ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12260462/

The Effectiveness of Virtual Reality–Based Mindfulness ... The review will provide definitive evidence regarding VR-based mindfulness interventions' effectiveness for mental health outcomes.

3. patlynk.com patlynk.com/trial/NCT07176013

Immersive Virtual Reality Meditation in Voice Therapy The study is investigating if using guided meditation through immersive virtual reality (IVR) can improve voice therapy sessions.

4. withpower.com withpower.com/trial/phase-voice-disorders-2-2025-3e672

Virtual Reality Meditation for Voice Disorders The study seeks to determine whether IVR can enhance therapy outcomes by improving engagement, attention, and vocal control in individuals undergoing voice ...

5. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1550830722001227

The effectiveness of immersive virtual reality (VR) based ... The aim of this study is to investigate whether VR-based mindfulness training can improve mental health outcomes, and notably mindfulness levels amongst adults.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12399854/

A Bibliometric Study of the Evidence About Applying Virtual ... A systematic review of virtual reality therapies for substance use disorders: impact on secondary treatment outcomes. Am J Addict. 2023;32(1): ...

7. journals.sagepub.com journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/20552076241308703

The benefits and safety of a virtual reality intervention in ... The outcomes of this study serve as a foundational step to understand the analgesic and safety properties of the initial session of our VR ...

8. innovation.va.gov innovation.va.gov/hil/assets/documents/va-immersive-lit-review-2024.pdf

Immersive Virtual Reality in Health Care Literature ... The compendium includes research articles, review articles, meta-analyses, and practice guidelines, while books, magazine articles, news ...

9. nature.com nature.com/articles/s41598-025-01359-7

Enhancing Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy in a ... Immersive virtual reality-based cognitive intervention for the improvement of cognitive function, depression, and perceived stress in older ...