Virtual Reality Behavioral Activation: An Intervention for Major Depressive Disorder

NCT ID: NCT04268316

Last Updated: 2021-06-02

Study Results

Results available

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Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

20 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2020-05-18

Study Completion Date

2021-01-15

Brief Summary

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The primary purpose of this study is to test the safety and feasibility of virtual reality (VR) technology in the use of behavioral activation (BA) as a treatment for major depressive disorder (MDD). The secondary purpose of this study is to examine whether any evidence of clinical efficacy exists for VR delivered BA.

Detailed Description

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This is a treatment development trial. Participants will be randomly assigned to BA in VR, BA in real-life, or a waitlist control group. The former two groups will follow a BA protocol developed for primary care settings over a four-week treatment period. This study is taking place over Zoom, due to COVID-19.

Conditions

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Major Depressive Disorder MDD Depression

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Participants will be randomized to either BA in VR, BA in real-life, or a waitlist control group.
Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

NONE

Study Groups

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Virtual Reality Behavioral Activation

Participants randomized to this arm will perform all of their behavioral activation in virtual reality. Participants will meet with the clinician once a week for three weeks (4 sessions). In between weekly therapy sessions, participants will pick four pleasurable activities to enjoy in virtual reality.

Group Type EXPERIMENTAL

Virtual Reality Behavioral Activation

Intervention Type DEVICE

Participants will choose four "activities" to complete in virtual reality over the course of the week. These activities are video 360 and range from viewing animals, to viewing nature scenes, to traveling to a different location in the world, to viewing adrenaline-pumping activities.

Behavioral Activation in real-life

Participants randomized to this arm will perform all of their behavioral activation in real life. Participants will meet with the clinician once a week for three weeks (4 sessions). In between weekly therapy sessions, participants will pick four pleasurable or mastery activities to perform in real life.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Behavioral Activation in real-life

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Participants will choose four pleasurable and/or mastery activities to complete over the course of the week in real life.

Waitlist Control

Participants randomized to this arm will not receive any type of intervention and will be asked to complete the PHQ-9 once a week for three weeks (4 sessions) to track symptoms. Participants will be offered to engage in behavioral activation in real life or with virtual reality when the four weeks are complete. Their data will only be used from the time they were on the waitlist.

Group Type NO_INTERVENTION

No interventions assigned to this group

Interventions

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Virtual Reality Behavioral Activation

Participants will choose four "activities" to complete in virtual reality over the course of the week. These activities are video 360 and range from viewing animals, to viewing nature scenes, to traveling to a different location in the world, to viewing adrenaline-pumping activities.

Intervention Type DEVICE

Behavioral Activation in real-life

Participants will choose four pleasurable and/or mastery activities to complete over the course of the week in real life.

Intervention Type BEHAVIORAL

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Patient must meet DSM V criteria for MDD
* Patient must be at least 18 years of age
* Patient must be English speaking

Exclusion Criteria

* Substance Use Disorders in past year
* Any psychosis or bipolar I disorder
* Any seizure in the last 6 months or untreated epilepsy
* Current nonsuicidal self-injury or parasuicidal behavior
* Current suicidal urges and intent
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Stanford University

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Margot Paul

Principle Investigator

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Kim Bullock, MD

Role: STUDY_DIRECTOR

Stanford University

Margot Paul, MS

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Stanford University

Locations

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Stanford University

Palo Alto, California, United States

Site Status

Countries

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United States

References

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Paul M, Bullock K, Bailenson J. Virtual Reality Behavioral Activation as an Intervention for Major Depressive Disorder: Case Report. JMIR Ment Health. 2020 Nov 3;7(11):e24331. doi: 10.2196/24331.

Reference Type RESULT
PMID: 33031046 (View on PubMed)

Paul M, Bullock K, Bailenson J. Virtual Reality Behavioral Activation for Adults With Major Depressive Disorder: Feasibility Randomized Controlled Trial. JMIR Ment Health. 2022 May 6;9(5):e35526. doi: 10.2196/35526.

Reference Type DERIVED
PMID: 35404830 (View on PubMed)

Provided Documents

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Document Type: Study Protocol

View Document

Document Type: Statistical Analysis Plan

View Document

Other Identifiers

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53483

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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