VR-Reward Training for Depression
(VR-RT Trial)

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Overseen byMichelle G Craske, Ph.D

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Phase 1

Recruiting

Sponsor: University of California, Los Angeles

No Placebo Group

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial tests a new virtual reality therapy to help adults with depression enjoy positive experiences more. It targets those who struggle with feeling pleasure and aims to improve their mood by using happy virtual reality scenarios.

Research Team

Michelle G Craske, Ph.D

Principal Investigator

University of California, Los Angeles

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults who feel very little pleasure or interest in activities (anhedonia), may be experiencing depression, and have trouble functioning daily. They must speak English fluently, not be on psychotropic drugs, and agree not to start other psychological treatments during the study. People with bipolar disorder, psychosis, substance use issues in the last six months, or those prone to motion sickness can't join.

Inclusion Criteria

I am 18 years old or older.

Willingness to refrain from initiating other psychosocial treatments throughout the duration of the study

Your score on the SDS is 6 or higher.

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Exclusion Criteria

I have had seizures or been diagnosed with epilepsy in the past year.

Lifetime history of bipolar disorder, psychosis, mental retardation, or organic brain damage

You have had a problem with using drugs or alcohol in the past 6 months.

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Treatment Details

Interventions

Virtual Reality-Memory Training (VR-MT) (Behavioural Intervention)
Virtual Reality-Reward Training (VR-RT) (Behavioural Intervention)

Trial OverviewThe study tests if Virtual Reality-Reward Training (VR-RT), which uses VR to help people enjoy positive experiences more deeply, is better than a control activity called Virtual Reality-Memory Training (VR-MT) at improving mood and reducing symptoms of depression over seven weeks.

Participant Groups

2Treatment groups

Experimental Treatment

Active Control

Group I: Virtual Reality-Reward Training (VR-RT)Experimental Treatment1 Intervention

7 sessions of positive VR immersion and positive memory specificity training exercises designed to savor rewarding features of immersion followed by memory specificity training exercises to savor rewarding features of autobiographical memory.

Group II: Virtual Reality-Memory Training (VR-MT)Active Control1 Intervention

7 sessions of neutral VR immersion and neutral memory specificity training exercises, designed to train memory of objective non-emotional stimuli followed by memory exercises to neutral autobiographical memories.