Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Inpatients

Summary

The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET) as a treatment for obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). Participants are randomly assigned to one of the following interventions: a) exposure condition - the group with a standard CBT program enriched with exposure therapy in VR (VRET), b) control condition 1 - the group with a standard CBT program enriched with VR cognitive training aimed at cognitive flexibility or c) control condition 2 - standard CBT program without any additional VR intervention. The treatment effect will be evaluated using pre/post assessments, as well as monitoring adherence to exposure and response prevention assignments.

Conditions

• Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
• Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy
• Virtual Reality Cognitive Training
• Cognitive Behavior Therapy

Interventions

BEHAVIORAL

Exposure Therapy (Virtual Reality)

Virtual reality scenarios consists of exposures to OCD symptom provoking stimuli and response prevention (e.g. having dirty hands without washing them immediately) with the support of the therapist. The goal of VRET is sufficient reduction in anxiety and acceleration of progress in classical CBT.

BEHAVIORAL

Cognitive flexibility training

Participants play series of various cognitive games previously developed in NIMH aimed at cognitive flexibility. Games are presented using immersive VR (HTC vive headset). The set includes for instance Go/No-go paradigm with a shooting range addressing inhibitory control, Flies - hit a fly game addressing set-shifting and Castle game addressing spatial memory and reversal learning.

BEHAVIORAL

Standard CBT program without VR interventions

Standart CBT program (performed in all groups). The program involves regular group and individual psychotherapy sessions 5 days per 6 weeks.

Sponsors & Collaborators

• National Institute of Mental Health, Czech Republic

  lead OTHER

Principal Investigators

• Iveta Fajnerová, Ph.D. · National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

• Pavla Stopková, Ph.D. · National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

Study Design

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

NONE

Model

PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age

17 Years

Max Age

55 Years

Sex

ALL

Healthy Volunteers

No

Timeline & Regulatory

Start

2022-11-15

Primary Completion

2026-12-30

Completion

2026-12-30

Countries

• Czechia

Study Locations