Accepted for/Published in: JMIR Research Protocols
Date Submitted: Jul 8, 2026
Date Accepted: Oct 1, 2026
Virtual Reality for Enhancing Self-Compassion and Reducing Burnout Among Mental Healthcare Providers: Protocol for a Pilot Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial
ABSTRACT
Background:
Healthcare providers working in high-demand clinical environments are frequently exposed to patient suffering and trauma, placing them at increased risk for burnout and secondary traumatic stress. Compassion-focused cognitive behavioral therapy (CF-CBT) has shown promise in reducing psychological distress and enhancing self-compassion; however, traditional delivery methods may be limited by time, accessibility, and resource constraints. Virtual reality (VR) may provide an immersive and accessible approach for delivering compassion-focused interventions.
Objective:
This study aims to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of a self-administered VR-enhanced CF-CBT intervention designed to promote self-compassion and reduce burnout and secondary traumatic stress among healthcare providers.
Methods:
A two-arm randomized controlled pilot trial will be conducted among healthcare providers affiliated with the University of California San Diego. Participants will be randomized to either a VR-CF-CBT intervention or an active comparison condition consisting of self-guided CF-CBT delivered via digital booklets. Participants will complete eight brief sessions (approximately 10 minutes each) over a 4–6 week period. Main outcomes will include changes in self-compassion, burnout, and secondary traumatic stress measured using validated self-report instruments. Feasibility outcomes will include recruitment, retention, intervention adherence, session completion, and participant satisfaction.
Results:
As of July 2026, recruitment is anticipated to begin in August 2026. Enrollment and data collection are expected to continue through 2026, with data analysis and findings dissemination anticipated by April 2027.
Conclusions:
This study aims to evaluate a CF-CBT targeting cognitive distortions and delivered through immersive VR for healthcare providers at risk of occupational burnout and secondary traumatic stress. Findings will inform future efficacy trials and contribute to the growing literature on technology-assisted approaches to supporting healthcare provider well-being. Clinical Trial: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT07666867
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