Virtual Reality for Substance Use Disorders

(RENTS Trial)

Overseen By Brandon G Oberlin, PhD

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Indiana University

Must be taking: Psychotropic drugs

Must not be taking: Mu-opioid drugs

Disqualifiers: Unstable medical, psychiatric, others

Approved in 1 Jurisdiction This treatment is already approved in other countries

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 3

Duration: Study Day Visit

88 Participants Needed

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial uses virtual reality technology to help people in early recovery from stimulant addiction. The VR sessions aim to reduce drug use by promoting positive future thinking and encouraging delayed gratification.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications. However, it mentions that participants can be on psychotropic drugs for substance use disorder comorbidity, so you may be able to continue those medications.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment Virtual Reality Therapy for Substance Use Disorders?

Research shows that Virtual Reality Therapy can help reduce cravings and improve emotional regulation in people with substance use disorders. It has also been effective in treating anxiety and phobias, suggesting it could be beneficial for substance use disorders by providing realistic and personalized exposure to triggers. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is Virtual Reality Therapy safe for treating Substance Use Disorders?

Virtual Reality Therapy is generally considered safe for treating Substance Use Disorders, as long as risks like relapse and trauma are managed. It has been used safely in other conditions like anxiety and phobias, and practitioners believe it can be safely integrated into treatments for adults with mental health issues. ^{1 2 3 4 6}

How is Virtual Reality Therapy different from other treatments for substance use disorders?

Virtual Reality Therapy is unique because it uses immersive, computer-generated environments to help patients manage cravings and practice life skills in realistic scenarios. Unlike traditional therapies, it allows for personalized exposure to triggers and the use of avatars to simulate interactions, offering insights that other treatments cannot provide. ^{1 2 3 4 6}

Research Team

Brandon G Oberlin, PhD

Principal Investigator

Indiana University

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults over 18 who have been abstinent from stimulants for at least 14 days but no more than 6 months, are committed to recovery, and can understand English. They must be outpatients possibly taking psychotropic drugs for substance use disorder-related issues and sober from drugs/alcohol for at least 24 hours before study visits.

Inclusion Criteria

I am not currently hospitalized.

Drug/alcohol abstinence ≥ 24 hours at the time of the study day visit

I am committed to following my treatment and recovery plan.

Exclusion Criteria

I am under 18 years old.

Unstable medical disorders

Habitual drug use

Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive a Virtual Reality intervention aimed at reducing stimulant use and increasing abstinence

Study Day Visit

1 visit (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment, with assessments at 30-day and 6-month intervals

6 months

2 visits (in-person)

Treatment Details

Interventions

• Virtual Reality

Trial Overview Researchers are testing a virtual reality intervention to see if it helps people with stimulant use disorders by reducing their drug use days, increasing abstinence periods, boosting future self-identification, enhancing the ability to wait for rewards, and improving perspective on the future.

Participant Groups

Group I: Virtual Reality Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Participants in this arm will receive the following interventions: Virtual Reality Park Virtual Reality Avatar

Group II: Treatment As Usual Placebo Group 1 Intervention

Participants in this arm will receive the following interventions: Virtual Reality Park

Virtual Reality is already approved in United States for the following indications:

Approved in United States as Virtual Reality Therapy for:

• Functional Dyspepsia
• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Gastroparesis

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Indiana University

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1,063

Recruited

1,182,000+

National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA)

Collaborator

Trials

2,658

Recruited

3,409,000+

Findings from Research

Virtual reality (VR) therapy shows promise in reducing cravings and substance use in individuals with substance use disorder, particularly in studies focused on nicotine addiction.

While VR may help improve mood and anxiety symptoms, the results are mixed, indicating that more targeted interventions are needed to fully understand its efficacy in treating emotional dysregulation and enhancing treatment retention.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A systematic review of virtual reality therapies for substance use disorders: Impact on secondary treatment outcomes. Taubin, D., Berger, A., Greenwald, D., et al.[2023]

A pilot clinical trial involving 19 participants with cannabis use disorder and severe mental disorder showed that an innovative avatar intervention led to a significant moderate reduction in cannabis use, with a Cohen's d of 0.611, indicating effectiveness.

The intervention utilized immersive virtual reality techniques, allowing participants to practice therapeutic methods in real-time, suggesting that this novel approach could enhance treatment outcomes for cannabis use disorder.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Avatar Intervention for Cannabis Use Disorder in Individuals with Severe Mental Disorders: A Pilot Study. Giguère, S., Potvin, S., Beaudoin, M., et al.[2023]

Practitioners and researchers believe that Virtual Reality Therapy (VRT) could be a valuable addition to treating Substance Use Disorders (SUDs), as it offers safe and realistic exposure to triggering scenarios.

VRT is seen as beneficial for adults and those with mental health issues, with the potential to enhance therapy by allowing the inclusion of avatars and observing reactions, although risks like relapse and over-confidence need to be managed.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Views of Practitioners and Researchers on the Use of Virtual Reality in Treatments for Substance Use Disorders. Skeva, R., Gregg, L., Jay, C., et al.[2021]

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]

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) shows potential as a novel treatment for substance use disorders (SUDs), helping patients manage cravings and reduce stress, with studies indicating it activates similar brain areas as substances do.

Despite promising results, the current VR applications for treating SUDs are primarily research-based and not widely available, highlighting the need for more rigorous studies to confirm their effectiveness and address accessibility issues.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Virtual Reality for Individuals With Substance Use Disorders. Worley, J.[2019]

References

1. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

A systematic review of virtual reality therapies for substance use disorders: Impact on secondary treatment outcomes. [2023]

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

Avatar Intervention for Cannabis Use Disorder in Individuals with Severe Mental Disorders: A Pilot Study. [2023]

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

Views of Practitioners and Researchers on the Use of Virtual Reality in Treatments for Substance Use Disorders. [2021]

4. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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

5. 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]

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

Virtual Reality for Individuals With Substance Use Disorders. [2019]