Contribution of Virtual Reality Eye Tracking in the Identification of Schizophrenia, Bipolar and Depression

Launched by ETABLISSEMENT PUBLIC DE SANTÉ BARTHÉLEMY DURAND · Jul 7, 2025

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is exploring whether tracking eye movements using virtual reality (VR) technology can help identify three different mental health conditions: schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and depression. Because these conditions can affect thinking and daily functioning, researchers want to find new, faster ways to spot specific signs that are unique to each illness. By having participants wear a VR headset equipped with eye-tracking devices, the study aims to see if certain patterns in how people move their eyes can reveal clues about their mental health in realistic, everyday-like situations.

The study is looking for adults aged 18 to 60 who have been diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or depression and whose condition has been stable for at least three months. People who are interested should be able to understand and agree to participate voluntarily. Participants will wear a VR headset while their eye movements are recorded, which is safe and non-invasive. Some important things to know are that people with certain eye problems, recent head injuries, epilepsy, or those who experience motion sickness with VR won’t be able to join. Also, healthy volunteers without any psychiatric history are needed for comparison. This research could lead to better and quicker ways to diagnose these mental health conditions in the future.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• For all participants:
• • Male or female, aged 18 to 60 years
• * Subject having given their written consent to the study For Schizophrenia participants :
• • Diagnosis of schizophrenia according to DSM-V criteria and stabilised for at least three months
• For bipolar disorder participants :
• • - Diagnosis of bipolar disorders according to DSM-V criteria and stabilised for at least three months
• For depressive disorders participants :
• • - Diagnosis of depressive disorders according to DSM-V criteria and stabilised for at least three months
• Exclusion Criteria:
• For all the participants :
• • Subjects unable to give consent or not volunteering for the study.
• • Current(s) somatic(s) condition(s)
• • Specific ophthalmological problems (strabismus, amblyopia) incompatible with the devices stereoscopic (VR headsets)
• • Head trauma's history with loss of consciousness
• • Epilepsy history
• • Intellectual disability
• • Difficulties in understanding the French language
• • Current or during the last 6 months of substance abuse or dependence (except tobacco)
• • Freedom restriction by judicial or administrative decision and/or coercive hospitalisation
• • Cybersickness history
• • Pregnancy
• For healthy control group :
• • Current or previous psychiatric disorder
• • Current psychotropic drug therapy