VR-JIT + MCT for Self-Discipline and Relapse

Overseen By Brittany Ross

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: University of Michigan

Disqualifiers: Uncorrected hearing or visual problem

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

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 1

Duration: 6-8 weeks

40 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

The study is a randomized controlled trial (RCT) that assesses the effectiveness of a metacognitive self-control training intervention (MCT) in conjunction with virtual-reality job interview training (VR-JIT) in a sample of formerly incarcerated individuals. The study also includes an implementation evaluation.

Do I need to stop my current medications to join the trial?

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

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment VR-JIT + MCT for Self-Discipline and Relapse?

Research shows that virtual reality (VR) interventions can help people in recovery from substance use disorders by increasing their focus on the future and reducing cravings, which are key factors in preventing relapse. Additionally, VR combined with cognitive training has shown promise in improving self-control and cognitive functions, which are important for maintaining discipline and avoiding relapse. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is the VR-JIT + MCT treatment safe for humans?

Research on virtual reality interventions, including those for substance use disorders, shows they are generally well-tolerated and do not cause adverse events. Participants in these studies reported comfort and emotional engagement, suggesting the treatment is safe for humans. ^{2 3 6 7 8}

How does the VR-JIT + MCT treatment differ from other treatments for addiction?

The VR-JIT + MCT treatment is unique because it combines virtual reality job interview training with metacognitive self-control training to address self-discipline and relapse. This approach uses immersive virtual environments to simulate real-life scenarios, enhancing the ecological validity of traditional therapies and potentially improving the learning and reinforcement of new behaviors in addiction treatment. ^{1 3 4 8 9}

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults over 18 who are part of the A Brighter Way Program and can read at a third-grade level or higher. It's not suitable for those with uncorrected hearing or vision problems that would interfere with training.

Inclusion Criteria

3rd grade reading level or higher

Actively enrolled in A Brighter Way Program

I am 18 years old or older.

Exclusion Criteria

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

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive Metacognitive Self-Control Training (MCT) and/or Virtual Reality Job Interview Training (VR-JIT) interventions

6-8 weeks

1-3 sessions per week

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for changes in ADHD symptomology, self-control, and employment outcomes

9 months

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Metacognitive Self-Control Training (MCT)
• Virtual Reality Job Interview Training (VR-JIT)

Trial Overview The study tests if teaching self-control skills (MCT) along with practicing job interviews in virtual reality (VR-JIT) helps formerly incarcerated people do better in real-life interviews. Participants are randomly assigned to different groups to compare results.

Participant Groups

Group I: Virtual Reality Job Interview Training (VR-JIT) Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

This group will receive just the VR-JIT intervention. We are anticipating 6-8 weeks, with 1-3 sessions per week for this intervention.

Group II: Metacognitive Self-Control Training (MCT) + Virtual Reality Job Interview Training (VR-JIT) Experimental Treatment 2 Interventions

This group will receive the MCT intervention plus the VR-JIT intervention. We are anticipating 6-8 weeks, with 1-3 sessions per week for each intervention.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

University of Michigan

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,891

Recruited

6,458,000+

Findings from Research

Craving is a key factor in substance use disorders (SUDs) that can lead to relapse, and traditional behavioral therapies struggle to suppress it in real-life social contexts.

Virtual reality (VR) is being explored as a tool to enhance craving-induction and cue-exposure therapy, but while it can effectively increase craving, its combination with cue-exposure therapy has shown limited success in promoting abstinence.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The use of virtual reality in craving assessment and cue-exposure therapy in substance use disorders. Hone-Blanchet, A., Wensing, T., Fecteau, S.[2022]

An immersive virtual reality (VR) intervention for adults in early recovery from substance use disorder (SUD) was well tolerated and showed no adverse effects, significantly increasing participants' future self-continuity and delaying reward preference, which doubled their delay tolerance.

After the VR experience, 30 days of follow-up indicated that participants who maintained a strong connection to their 'Recovery Future Self' remained abstinent, suggesting that enhancing future self-similarity can be a promising strategy for supporting SUD recovery.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Virtual reality intervention effects on future self-continuity and delayed reward preference in substance use disorder recovery: pilot study results. Shen, YI., Nelson, AJ., Oberlin, BG.[2023]

Virtual Reality (VR) technology shows promise in both assessing cravings and treating substance use disorders, providing high ecological validity in its applications.

While VR effectively provokes cravings across various addictions, treatment outcomes based solely on virtual exposure to drug-related cues have shown mixed results, indicating the need for further research in this area.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Virtual Reality (VR) in Assessment and Treatment of Addictive Disorders: A Systematic Review. Segawa, T., Baudry, T., Bourla, A., et al.[2020]

References

1. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The use of virtual reality in craving assessment and cue-exposure therapy in substance use disorders. [2022]

2. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Virtual reality intervention effects on future self-continuity and delayed reward preference in substance use disorder recovery: pilot study results. [2023]

3. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Clinical Relevance of Immersive Virtual Reality in the Assessment and Treatment of Addictive Disorders: A Systematic Review and Future Perspective. [2023]

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

Virtual reality: a powerful technology to provide novel insight into treatment mechanisms of addiction. [2023]

5. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Impact of Exercise and Virtual Reality Executive Function Training on Cognition Among Heavy Drinking Veterans With Traumatic Brain Injury: A Pilot Feasibility Study. [2023]

6. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Approach bias retraining through virtual reality in smokers willing to quit smoking: A randomized-controlled study. [2021]

7. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A future orientation intervention delivered through a smartphone application and virtual reality: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial. [2022]

8. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Virtual Reality (VR) in Assessment and Treatment of Addictive Disorders: A Systematic Review. [2020]

9. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Effects of a virtual reality-based motivational reinforcement + desensitization intervention program on psychological craving and addiction memory in female MA-dependent young adults. [2023]