Virtual Interview Training for Reducing Criminal Behavior

Overseen By Katherine Tucker, MSW

Age: 18+

Sex: Male

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Michigan

Disqualifiers: Uncorrected hearing/visual, Cognitive illness

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 6

Duration: 6 months

150 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

Do I need to stop my current medications for this trial?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of this treatment?

Research shows that Virtual Reality Job Interview Training (VR-JIT) helps people with serious mental illness improve their interview skills and increases their chances of getting a job. Studies found that about 55% of participants in supported employment programs obtained employment after using VR-JIT, and it also improved job offers for individuals with severe mental illness and autism spectrum disorder. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is Virtual Interview Training safe for humans?

Research on Virtual Reality Job Interview Training (VR-JIT) shows it is generally safe and well-tolerated. Participants found it easy to use, enjoyable, and helpful, with anxiety decreasing as they became more skilled. ^{4 6 7 8 9}

How does the treatment Virtual Reality Job Interview Training differ from other treatments for reducing criminal behavior?

Virtual Reality Job Interview Training is unique because it uses a simulated environment to improve job interview skills, which can indirectly reduce criminal behavior by enhancing employment opportunities. This approach provides a safe and realistic setting for practice, offering feedback and reducing anxiety, unlike traditional methods that may not offer such immersive and interactive experiences. ^{2 4 6 8 10}

What is the purpose of this trial?

The goal is to conduct a confirmatory effectiveness RCT (and an implementation evaluation) of Virtual Interview Training (VIT) by comparing employment and recidivism outcomes of offenders receiving vocational services as usual (SAU) plus VIT (SAU+VIT) with the outcomes of offenders receiving only services as usual (SAU-only). The plan calls for participants to include offenders who are at moderate to high risk for reoffending (with an emphasis on violent-crime reoffending) who are currently enrolled in a Vocational Village.

Research Team

Matthew J Smith, PhD

Principal Investigator

University of Michigan

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for offenders at moderate to high risk of reoffending, particularly with violent crimes. They must be within three months of release, enrolled in a Vocational Village, over 18 years old, and have at least a 6th grade reading level. Those with hearing or visual problems or cognitive issues due to medical illness cannot participate.

Inclusion Criteria

Identified as at moderate to high risk for reoffending with violent crimes (determined at the time of enrollment in the Vocational Village via the COMPAS Risk Assessment Classification Instrument [60])

You must be able to read and understand at a 6th grade level or higher.

Within three months of their earliest release date

Exclusion Criteria

I have hearing or vision problems that stop me from participating in training.

I have a condition that affects my thinking, such as a severe brain injury.

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive vocational services as usual, with some receiving additional Virtual Interview Training (VIT)

6 months

Regular sessions as part of Vocational Village program

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for employment and recidivism outcomes

12 months

Follow-up assessments at 6 and 12 months

Implementation Evaluation

Conduct a multilevel, mixed-method process evaluation of VIT implementation

Throughout study completion, average of 4 years

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Services as usual
• Virtual Reality Job Interview Training

Trial Overview The study compares the effectiveness of Virtual Interview Training (VIT) combined with standard vocational services (SAU+VIT) against just the usual services (SAU-only). The focus is on improving job prospects and reducing repeat offenses among prisoners.

Participant Groups

Group I: Services as usual + Virtual Reality Job Interview Training Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

In addition to the services as usual comparator, participants will participate in Virtual Reality Job Interview Training.

Group II: Services as Usual Active Control 1 Intervention

Study participants will be receiving their Vocational Village services as usual that may include but is not limited to vocational skill training, daily living skill training, and social skill training.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Michigan

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,891

Recruited

6,458,000+

SIMmersion, LLC

Industry Sponsor

Trials

8

Recruited

1,000+

References

1. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Job Offers to Individuals With Severe Mental Illness After Participation in Virtual Reality Job Interview Training. [2018]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A Mixed-Methods Implementation Evaluation of Virtual Reality Job Interview Training in IPS Supported Employment. [2023]

3. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Virtual reality job interview training and 6-month employment outcomes for individuals with schizophrenia seeking employment. [2019]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

An RCT of Virtual Reality Job Interview Training for Individuals With Serious Mental Illness in IPS Supported Employment. [2023]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Mechanism of Action for Obtaining Job Offers With Virtual Reality Job Interview Training. [2018]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Simulated job interview skill training for people with psychiatric disability: feasibility and tolerability of virtual reality training. [2021]

7. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Pinpointing change in virtual reality assisted treatment for violent offenders: a pilot study of Virtual Reality Aggression Prevention Training (VRAPT). [2023]

8. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Virtual reality job interview training in adults with autism spectrum disorder. [2021]

9. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Enhancing vocational training in corrections: A type 1 hybrid randomized controlled trial protocol for evaluating virtual reality job interview training among returning citizens preparing for community re-entry. [2022]

10. Netherlands pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Cognition, criminal conduct, and virtual reality: Understanding and reducing offending using simulated environments. [2023]