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Virtual Reality (VR) NATURE - Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

Virtual Reality Nature Immersion to Reduce Depression in People Engaged in Intensive Outpatient Alcohol Treatment

Who can join

As published by the study on ClinicalTrials.gov. "Not stated" means the study hasn't said — ask the study team.

Age
18 Years and older
Sex
All sexes
Healthy volunteers
Not accepted
Compensation
Not stated

Other requirements are listed under Eligibility below. Only the study team can confirm whether you can join.

What to expect

No one can promise a trial will help you personally — that is what the research is trying to find out.

What participation involves

Not stated in the study description — ask the study team about visits and procedures.

Compensation
Not stated
  • Study-related exams and procedures are typically provided at no cost. This is how many trials work in general — confirm the details for this study with the study team.
  • Participants are monitored closely by the research team throughout the study.
  • Some participants may receive access to an investigational treatment, which is still being studied.
  • Your participation helps researchers learn whether this approach could help future patients.

About this study

In plain language

This small study tests whether virtual reality (VR) nature scenes are easy to use, well liked, and may help reduce depression, anxiety, and stress compared with usual care alone. It is for adults with alcohol use disorder and at least moderate depression who are starting an intensive outpatient treatment program.

This pilot randomized clinical trial will evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of immersive Virtual Reality (VR) nature intervention among adults with at least moderate depression symptoms enrolled in an intensive outpatient Program (IOP) for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). The study hypotheses: * VR-based nature immersion will be feasible, acceptable, and positively evaluated by participants * Participants receiving the VR intervention will report greater reductions in symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress compared to those receiving standard care alone

Compensation is read from the study's own description and may be missing — always confirm with the study team.

Eligibility

Who can join

  • Have a documented diagnosis of alcohol use disorder, a condition that makes it hard to control drinking.
  • Be in the first week of, or plan to join, Michigan Medicine’s Addiction Treatment Services intensive outpatient program. This program offers treatment without a hospital stay.
  • Score 10 or higher on the PHQ-9 depression survey, showing moderate or more severe depression symptoms.

Who can't join

  • Have severe motion sickness or are sensitive to nausea or dizziness caused by VR.
  • Have a condition that makes VR unsafe, such as seizures, a balance disorder, fear of open or enclosed spaces, or psychosis (trouble knowing what is real).
  • Have serious thinking or memory problems that prevent you from understanding and agreeing to join the study.
  • Have thoughts of suicide or a suicide plan, as reviewed with your treating clinician.
  • Need glasses, unless your prescription is mild (±1) or you do not have prescription contact lenses. The glasses and contact lens rule is unclear as written; ask the study team to confirm.

Simplified for readability. The official criteria below are what the study team uses.

Official eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria: * Individuals with a documented AUD diagnosis * Individuals enrolled in an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) (First week enrollment or planned enrollment in Michigan Medicine's Addiction Treatment Services (UMATS) IOP) * Individuals with a Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) score (≥10, moderate or greater depression symptoms) Exclusion Criteria: * Severe motion sickness or sensitivity to VR-induced nausea or dizziness (anticipated \<10%), medical contraindications to VR use (e.g., seizure disorders, vestibular disorders, agoraphobia, claustrophobia, psychosis). * Significant cognitive impairments that prevent provision of informed consent * Suicidal ideation or plan after consultation with treating clinician * Participants who require vision correction with glasses, unless vision correction is mild (±1), or the participant does not have prescription contact lenses.

Study sites (1)

MI