An interventional study of Standard Care and Immersive Visual Modulation (IVM) in Vaginismus, sponsored by Demet Mutlu. Enrolling by invitation at 1 site in Turkey (Türkiye). Open to female participants aged 20 Years to 40 Years. Per ClinicalTrials.gov, last updated 2026-09-23.
Sponsored by Demet Mutlu · Not applicable, Interventional, and Supportive care
Vaginismus is a sexual dysfunction characterized by involuntary contractions of the pelvic floor muscles that prevent vaginal penetration. This condition is often associated with intense fear, anxiety, and avoidance behaviors. Vaginismus can negatively impact not only sexual life but also gynecological examination processes, psychosocial well-being, and quality of life. In cases of vaginismus, where psychological components play a significant role, it is believed that virtual reality technology can reduce fear and avoidance behaviors by providing a safe and controlled environment. In particular, relaxing nature images and distracting visual content are expected to contribute to the treatment process by reducing anxiety levels. This study aims to evaluate the effects of virtual reality applications added to the standard approach in vaginismus treatment, and music therapy combined with virtual reality, on treatment success, pain level, anxiety level, and patient satisfaction.
Vaginismus is a sexual dysfunction characterized by involuntary contractions of the pelvic floor muscles that prevent vaginal penetration. This condition is often associated with intense fear, anxiety, and avoidance behaviors. Vaginismus can negatively impact not only sexual life but also gynecological examination processes, psychosocial well-being, and quality of life. Virtual reality (VR) technology has been used in many areas of healthcare in recent years for diagnostic, therapeutic, and rehabilitative purposes. In particular, VR applications have been shown to be effectively used in ophthalmology for visual rehabilitation, surgical training, amblyopia treatment, and patient adaptation processes. The clinical use of VR-based applications in amblyopia treatment and their inclusion in health insurance coverage supports the clinical applicability of this technology. VR technology is reported to have positive effects on attention redirection, relaxation, and anxiety reduction by creating controlled visual stimuli. The use of VR in gynecological procedures, pelvic examinations, and other invasive procedures has been shown to reduce pain and anxiety levels. Furthermore, VR applications have been reported to increase patient comfort and improve procedure tolerance in invasive urological procedures such as cystoscopy. In cases of vaginismus, where psychological components play a significant role, it is thought that virtual reality technology can reduce fear and avoidance behaviors by providing a safe and controlled environment. It is predicted that relaxing nature images, distracting visual content, and immersive experiences can contribute to the treatment process by reducing anxiety levels. The initiation of clinical trials evaluating the use of VR in vaginismus treatment in recent years shows that this approach is gaining increasing attention. Music therapy, on the other hand, is a non-pharmacological supportive method that has been shown to have positive effects on anxiety control, pain management, and emotional regulation. Studies in the literature report that the combined use of VR and music therapy can reduce symptoms in chronic pain, anxiety disorders, and stress-related conditions. This effect is thought to be related to autonomic nervous system regulation, multisensory integration, attention modulation, and emotional relaxation mechanisms. This study aims to evaluate the effects of VR applications added to the standard approach in vaginismus treatment, and music therapy combined with VR, on treatment success, pain level, anxiety level, and patient satisfaction.
29 studies on the registry are indexed under Vaginismus; 9 are open to participants now.
This study's planned enrollment of 90 is above the median of 40 across 23 interventional studies indexed under Vaginismus.
Browse Vaginismus studies →Demet Mutlu is the lead sponsor of 2 studies on the registry; 1 is open to participants now.
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Exclusion Criteria:
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The American Psychiatric Association’s manual of mental health diagnoses. DSM-5 (2013, revised as DSM-5-TR in 2022) replaced DSM-IV, and some studies still name the older edition. “Meets DSM criteria for …” means diagnosed by that edition’s diagnostic criteria, usually by a clinician in an interview.
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DSM diagnostic criteria
The American Psychiatric Association’s manual of mental health diagnoses. DSM-5 (2013, revised as DSM-5-TR in 2022) replaced DSM-IV, and some studies still name the older edition. “Meets DSM criteria for …” means diagnosed by that edition’s diagnostic criteria, usually by a clinician in an interview.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Informed consent
Before you join, the study team explains what taking part involves — its purpose, what happens, the risks and possible benefits — and answers your questions, so you can decide freely. Consent is usually recorded on a form (the informed consent form, ICF) signed by you or, where the law allows, by someone legally authorised to decide for you.
You can keep asking questions during the study, you are told of new information that matters, and you can choose to leave at any time.
Explained by clinicaltrials.gg, not part of the registry record. The study team decides who can take part.
Participants receive standard care only.
Behavioral: Standard Care
Participants receive standard care plus immersive virtual reality.
Behavioral: Standard Care · Device: Immersive Visual Modulation (IVM)
Participants receive standard care plus immersive virtual reality and ambient music therapy.
Behavioral: Standard Care · Device: Immersive Visual Modulation (IVM) · Behavioral: Ambient Music Therapy (AMT)
Participants receive standard care for vaginismus that had been provided before enrollment. No virtual reality or music intervention is administered during the transvaginal ultrasonography procedure.
Immersive Visual Modulation (IVM) is delivered using a virtual reality headset. Participants view standardized relaxing nature scenes beginning 15 minutes before transvaginal ultrasonography and continuing until the procedure is completed.
Participants listen to standardized instrumental ambient music with natural environmental sounds through over-ear headphones beginning 15 minutes before transvaginal ultrasonography and continuing until the procedure is completed.
Rate of successful completion of transvaginal ultrasonography (TVUS)
The primary outcome is the rate of successful completion of the TVUS procedure. Successful completion is defined as complete insertion of the transvaginal ultrasound probe and completion of the examination without interruption due to pain, anxiety, fear, or involuntary pelvic floor muscle contraction. Results will be reported as the percentage of participants with successful TVUS completion in each intervention group.
Time frame: Immediately after the TVUS procedure during the baseline study visit.
Plan to share: No — Due to the personal data protection laws in our country, I cannot share patient information or data.
No publications or documents are linked to this record.
Started Jul 2026 (actual). Primary completion is estimated for Jul 2027, 12 months after the start.
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Demet Mutlu