Training Reward Responsiveness Through Virtual Reality
Trial statusRecruiting
Trial phasePhase 2
Trial typeInterventional
Biological sexAll
Age18+
SponsorUniversity of California, Los Angeles
About this trial
The purpose of this study is to compare the effects of Virtual Reality-Reward Training (VR-RT) with an active control condition, Virtual Reality-Memory Training (VR-MT), on positive affect and other clinical symptoms.
VR-RT is a novel intervention aimed at enhancing savoring of positive experiences among individuals with elevated depression and low positive affect through guided imaginal recounting following immersion in positive VR experiences. The current study tests an enhanced version of this training using improved virtual reality technology.
Target enrollment is 80 participants with low positive affect, depression, and impaired functioning, who are at least 18 years old, who will be randomly assigned to 4 weeks of either VR-RT or VR-MT. Participants will complete in-person VR sessions, laboratory assessments, and self-report questionnaires as part of the study.
The total length of participation is around 3 months.
Eligibility criteria
This trial does not accept healthy volunteersQualifiers
At least 18 years old
Fluent in written and spoken English
Score on the DASS-21 depression subscale must be ≥ 8
Score on the PANAS-P of 27 or lower
Disqualifiers
Lifetime history of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, psychosis, intellectual/developmental disability, or organic brain damage
Substance use disorder in the past 6 months
Current use of psychotropic medications
Currently pregnant or planning to become pregnant
Trial design
Design model
Parallel
Treatments tested in this trial
Virtual Reality-Reward Training (VR-RT)
BehavioralParticipants complete positive VR experiences followed by written and coach-guided imaginal recounting of rewarding details. Recounting emphasizes a first-person, present-tense perspective and attention to positive sensory and emotional features of the experience. Participants also complete written and audio-guided exercises involving positive autobiographical memories.
Virtual Reality-Memory Training (VR-MT)
BehavioralParticipants complete VR-based memory exercises requiring attention to and memory for objects of a specific color. Following VR experiences, participants complete written and coach-guided verbal recall emphasizing objective details. Participants also complete written and audio-guided neutral word-list memorization and recall exercises.
Treatment groups
80 Participants
are divided into 2 treatment groupsGroup A: Virtual Reality-Reward Training (VR-RT)Experimental treatment 1 intervention
Group B: Virtual Reality-Memory Training (VR-MT)Active comparator 1 intervention
Trial outcomes
Primary outcomes
1
The Mood and Anxiety Symptoms Questionnaire - Anhedonic Depression Subscale (MASQ-AD)
Change in reported anhedonia (score range: 14-70), with higher scores indicating greater anhedonic symptom severity
Time frame
Week 0 (baseline), Week 3 (mid-training), Week 5 (post-training), and Week 9 (follow-up). Primary comparisons are change from Week 0 to Week 5 and from Week 0 to Week 9.2
Positive Valence Systems Scale (PVSS-21)
Change in reward anticipation, motivation, and consumption for rewards such as food, physical touch, positive feedback, social interactions, hobbies and goals (score range: 21-105). Higher scores (e.g. 105) indicate higher reward responsiveness.
Time frame
Week 0 (baseline), Week 3 (mid-training), Week 5 (post-training), and Week 9 (follow-up). Primary comparisons are change from Week 0 to Week 5 and from Week 0 to Week 9.Secondary outcomes
1
Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scales (DASS-21)
Reported symptoms of depression (score range: 0-21), anxiety (score range: 0-21), and stress (score range: 0-21), higher scores indicate higher severity and frequency.
Time frame
Week 0 (baseline), Week 3 (mid-training), Week 5 (post-training), and Week 9 (follow-up). Primary comparisons are change from Week 0 to Week 5 and from Week 0 to Week 9.2
Sentence Completion for Events from the Past Test
Change in overgeneral autobiographical memory. Responses to 11 sentence stems are coded as specific memory, categoric memory, extended memory, omission, or semantic associate. The proportion of responses classified as overgeneral memories will be calculated.
Time frame
Week 0 (baseline) and Week 5 (post-training). Change from Week 0 to Week 5.3
Heart Rate Variability
Change in heart rate variability (HRV). Resting heart rate variability will be collected during a 5-minute period at assessment points. These data will be collected via a polar heart rate monitor synchronized with an ActiGraph device.
Time frame
Week 0 (baseline), Week 3 (mid-training), Week 5 (post-training), and Week 9 (follow-up). Primary comparisons are change from Week 0 to Week 5 and from Week 0 to Week 9.4
State Affect
A Visual Analogue Scale for Affect will be completed throughout the VR session, which assesses state affect before and after VR scenes and recountings. Higher scores (score range: 1-9) indicate higher positive affect.
Time frame
Change from pre-VR session to post-VR sessionOther outcomes
1
Blood-Based Biomarkers
A small blood sample (approximately 1/8th teaspoon) will be collected at assessment points to measure peripheral inflammatory markers at these time points.
Time frame
Week 0 (baseline), Week 3 (mid-training), and Week 5 (post-training). Primary comparison is change from Week 0 to Week 5.Sponsors and contacts
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Source ClinicalTrials.gov