Enhancing Prospective Thinking in Early Recovery

Investigating Recovery Outcomes with Virtual Reality

Recruiting
21 years - 50 years
All
Phase N/A
1 Location

Brief description of study.

The purpose of this study is to better understand what factors, demographic characteristics, and interventions predict better recovery-related outcomes.

Detailed description of study

The primary purpose of this study is feasibility of this yet-untested intervention. The goals of this feasibility study are to: 1) troubleshoot and optimize the VR paradigm (volume and timing of narrative, lighting, resolution, possible tracking issues, appearance of the avatar, etc), 2) test the fMRI portion in a random subset of subjects, and 3) generate preliminary data for extramural funding. The numerous technical and psychological elements require careful task refinement before it can be used effectively. The specific aims outlined here focus on usability of the VR equipment, emotional impact of the intervention, recovery-related outcomes, and fMRI task presentation. Note that the specific aims of the clinical intervention study will be to increase abstinence rates and to measure neural activation to a future self presented in VR, although the necessarily small sample here precludes an appropriately-powered study.
Participants will be paid for their participation.

Eligibility of study

You may be eligible for this study if you meet the following criteria:

  • Conditions: Addiction recovery,Addiction
  • Age: 21 years - 50 years
  • Gender: All

Inclusion Criteria
Men and women in early recovery (recently released from detox, and/or inpatient treatment, and/or currently in outpatient addiction treatment)
Participants who have remained drug/alcohol free since treatment.
Able to understand questionnaires/procedures in English.
Exclusion Criteria
Unstable or significant medical disorders that may influence study outcome or subject safety.
History of smell or taste disorders, including any special sensitivities to volatile chemicals.
History of chronic asthma (potential risk with odorants)
Medications (past 30 days) that could influence imaging data/subject safety (e.g. antidepressants, antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, etc.) as determined by the investigator, and any nasally administered non-steroidal medications.
Current pharmaceutical treatment for DSM-V diagnoses of intellectual disorders, autism, motor disorders, schizophrenia/psychotic disorders, bipolar disorders, major depressive disorders, generalized anxiety, panic, agoraphobia, or claustrophobia, obsessive compulsive and related disorders, post-traumatic or acute stress disorders, associative disorders, somatic symptom disorders, feeding/eating disorders, sleep/wake disorders, medication-induced movement disorders, or neurocognitive disorders, as determined by investigator.
Disorders or history of neurological disease or cerebral origin, or head injury with > 20 min loss of consciousness.
Positive breath alcohol readings or urine screen result during initial screening or study day visit (but not follow-up) will result in exclusion or disqualification. 
Inability (per investigator assessment or language ability) to follow instructions/study procedures.
Any condition that, in the judgment of the PI or study physicians, could place the subject at risk or affect data validity.
Left-handed people will be excluded from imaging, as left-handed people show different brain activation patterns than right-handed people.

Updated on 19 Feb 2024. Study ID: 1805574553

This study investigates how different factors and interventions can impact recovery outcomes for individuals in early stages of recovery from substance use. The purpose is to explore the feasibility of using a virtual reality (VR) intervention. Virtual reality is a technology that creates a simulated environment, which can be used to present scenarios to participants. The study will focus on understanding how this VR experience can affect recovery-related outcomes and brain activity, as measured by functional MRI (fMRI) scans.

Participants will engage in various tasks using VR equipment, which involves interacting with an avatar—a digital character that represents the participant in the virtual space. The study will also include fMRI scans for some participants to observe brain activation patterns. Additionally, researchers will adjust the VR settings, such as lighting and resolution, to ensure the equipment is user-friendly and effective for the study's purposes.

  • Who can participate: Adults who are in early recovery from substance use, who have remained drug and alcohol free since treatment, and can understand English are eligible. Individuals with unstable medical conditions, certain psychiatric disorders, a history of neurological disease, or those who are left-handed (for imaging purposes) are excluded.
  • Study details: Participants will use virtual reality equipment to interact with a digital environment. Some will undergo fMRI scans to measure brain activity.

Find a site

Message sent successfully.
We have submitted the information you provided to the research team at the location you chose. For your records, we have sent a copy of the message to your email address.
If you would like to be informed of other studies that may be of interest to you, you may sign up for Patient Notification Service.
Sign up

Send a message

Enter your contact details to connect with study team

Investigator Avatar

Primary Contact

First name*
Last name*
Email*
Phone number*
Preferred way of contact label
Race
Ethnicity
Other language

Default Content Message Here