Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder: A Randomized Controlled Trial in Inpatients
NCT ID: NCT07245134
Last Updated: 2025-11-24
Study Results
The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.
Basic Information
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RECRUITING
NA
62 participants
INTERVENTIONAL
2022-11-15
2026-12-30
Brief Summary
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Detailed Description
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During exposure therapy, relevant virtual stimuli can be freely combined involving common objects and situations in the home that may trigger OCD symptoms and hoarding behavior. Target stimuli (VR elements) are divided into several sets corresponding to OCD subtypes. During the session, the therapist can modify the level of difficulty via four standardized levels according to the individual needs of the clients.
The therapeutic application enables movement and direct interaction with stimuli in the environment of the virtual house and garden, thanks to a set of handhold controllers. Direct head and body rotations and small body movements are enabled by the VR headset. The psychotherapist can follow the patient actions and control the settings of the environment (e.g.selection of relevant stimuli, level of difficulty) using the computer and screen connected to the headset, and advise the patient where necessary. The level of difficulty is gradually increased during the progress of the therapy.
Conditions
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Study Design
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RANDOMIZED
PARALLEL
TREATMENT
NONE
Study Groups
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Cognitive flexibility training
Control group attends 6-week CBT program with five sessions of 30-40 minutes of cognitive training via virtual reality headset using "VRcity" cognitive training games.
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.
Standard CBT without additional VR treatment
Control group completes the standard 6-week CBT program only, with no VR sessions.
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.
Virtual reality exposure
Participants complete 6-week CBT program with five 30-40-minute sessions of exposure administered via a virtual reality headset (once a week). The intervention involves exposure to various symptom provoking scenarios in the virtual house environment - "OCD house". Scenarios can be adjusted to distinct OCD dimensions: contamination/cleaning, fear-of-harm/checking, symmetry/ordering. Stimuli can be also freely combined across dimensions, so that the scenarios fit to individual needs.
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.
Interventions
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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.
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.
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.
Other Intervention Names
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria
* Fluent in Czech
Exclusion Criteria
* Substance abuse
* Psychotropic medication (e.g. benzodiazepines) except antidepressants, antipsychotic medication and hypnotics.
* Contradictions to using a virtual reality (e.g., epilepsy, balance problems)
* Pregnancy
* Cardiostimulator and mental implants
17 Years
55 Years
ALL
No
Sponsors
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National Institute of Mental Health, Czech Republic
OTHER
Responsible Party
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Iveta Fajnerová
Supervisor
Principal Investigators
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Iveta Fajnerová, Ph.D.
Role: STUDY_DIRECTOR
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Pavla Stopková, Ph.D.
Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Locations
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National Institute of Mental Health
Klecany, , Czechia
Countries
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Central Contacts
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Facility Contacts
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Other Identifiers
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NU23-04-00402_Study1
Identifier Type: -
Identifier Source: org_study_id
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