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

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores new methods to help formerly incarcerated individuals improve self-discipline and job interview skills. Participants will receive either training in metacognitive self-control (which aids in managing thoughts and behaviors) combined with virtual reality job interview practice, or only the virtual reality job interview training. The trial seeks individuals who are part of the A Brighter Way Program, can read at a 3rd-grade level or higher, and have no uncorrected hearing or vision issues that would interfere with the training. As an unphased trial, this study offers a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative methods that could significantly enhance personal and professional development.

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 prior data suggests that these interventions are safe?

Research has shown that Metacognitive Self-Control Training (MCT) is generally easy for people to handle. It can help reduce negative symptoms like delusions and hallucinations without major safety issues. One study even developed specific components to address safety around sensitive topics like thoughts of self-harm.

For Virtual Reality Job Interview Training (VR-JIT), research indicates it is safe and practical. Participants often improve their interview skills and find jobs more easily. No significant negative effects have been reported, making it a safe training option.

Overall, both MCT and VR-JIT have demonstrated safety and effectiveness in their areas, with no major safety concerns reported in studies. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Researchers are excited about the combination of Metacognitive Self-Control Training (MCT) and Virtual Reality Job Interview Training (VR-JIT) because it offers a fresh approach to improving self-discipline and preventing relapse. Unlike traditional treatments that might focus solely on counseling or medication, this method leverages virtual reality to simulate real-life scenarios, enhancing the learning experience. The MCT component helps individuals develop better self-awareness and control over their thoughts, which is a unique angle compared to standard behavioral therapies. Together, these treatments aim to provide practical and engaging strategies to tackle challenges, potentially leading to more effective and sustainable outcomes.

What evidence suggests that this trial's treatments could be effective for self-discipline and relapse?

Research has shown that Metacognitive Self-Control Training (MCT) can boost self-esteem and reduce issues like depression and anxiety. Participants in studies reported significant improvements in their self-esteem and mental health. In this trial, one group will receive both MCT and Virtual Reality Job Interview Training (VR-JIT), while another group will receive only the VR-JIT intervention. VR-JIT has proven effective in enhancing job interview skills, confidence, and motivation. In some cases, it has even helped increase employment rates, especially for those with mental health challenges. Both treatments have shown promise in helping individuals build important skills and confidence. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

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

Exclusion Criteria

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

Timeline for a Trial Participant

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

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

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.

How Is the Trial Designed?

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+

Published Research Related to This Trial

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]

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]

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4105599/

The Efficacy of Group Metacognitive Therapy on Self ... Results: ANCOVA revealed that the patients receiving group MCT had significantly increased (p < 0.001) self-esteem in posttest, which remained significant in ...

2. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC3939994/

Effectiveness of Meta-Cognitive and Cognitive-Behavioral ... Results: Based on repeated measures ANOVA, all the participants demonstrated improvement in depression, anxiety, dysfunctional attitude and ruminative response.

3. cdn.clinicaltrials.gov cdn.clinicaltrials.gov/large-docs/39/NCT06866639/Prot_000.pdf

Metacognitive Therapy for Low Self Esteem Date of last ... The purpose of this pilot trial is to investigate the efficacy of MCT may be beneficial in treating low self-esteem, in comparison with CBT, ...

4. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0165032724020718

Metacognitive Training for Depression (D-MCT) compared ... The present study investigated the efficacy of D-MCT compared to a cognitive remediation (CR) program in outpatient care and examined moderators of outcome.

5. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT06866639

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy/Metacognitive ... We aim in this study to (1) evaluate the accessibility and effectiveness of MCT and CBT in treating low self-esteem, (2) investigate the patterns of change and ...

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC12123795/

An empirical study of offline and online group ... This randomised controlled trial demonstrated that hybrid offline-online MCT intervention significantly improved positive symptoms, delusion ...

7. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S092099642400505X

Does metacognitive training for psychosis (MCT) improve ... These findings suggest that when compared against control conditions, MCT does not pose a statistically meaningful benefit to neurocognitive performance.

8. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8943641/

A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis - PubMed Central MCT was associated with reduced delusions, hallucinations, and cognitive biases. Metacognitive training was also associated with reduced negative symptoms.

9. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05899257

Immersive Training on Metacognitive Capacities of Young ... Expected results include an increase in participants' self-concept clarity, metacognition, and reflective function as well as a deeper knowledge about their ...

10. onlinelibrary.wiley.com onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/cpp.2529

Metacognitive Training for Depression: Feasibility, safety ... We developed two modules specifically addressing suicidality that replace two existing modules in the Metacognitive Training for Depression (D-MCT).