Emotion Regulation Disorders

The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether a therapist-guided virtual reality (VR)-based intervention can improve emotion regulation in adolescents receiving inpatient psychiatric treatment. The study will also assess the feasibility, acceptability, and safety of the intervention, as well as explore factors that may predict treatment response. The main questions it aims to answer are: Does the VR-based intervention improve emotion regulation compared with a VR relaxation control intervention? Does the intervention reduce sensory sensitivities, anxiety, and related psychological symptoms? Which behavioral, physiological, and speech-based measures are associated with treatment response? Researchers will compare a personalized VR exposure intervention with a VR relaxation control intervention. Both groups will receive treatment as usual during their inpatient stay. Participants will: Be randomly assigned to either the VR exposure or the VR relaxation group. Complete questionnaires, behavioral tasks, and clinical assessments before and after the intervention, with a follow-up assessment approximately three months later. Participate in weekly therapist-guided VR sessions throughout their inpatient treatment. Complete additional assessments including speech recordings and standardized behavioral tasks to investigate predictors and mechanisms of treatment response. Throughout the study, participants will be monitored for adverse events and tolerability of the VR intervention.

Around 10% of post-active veterans experience post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) many years post-mission. PTSD in veterans is frequently associated with challenges in emotion regulation, aggression, suicidality, and financial and psychosocial stress. In 2018, a 12-week clinical treatment programme, the Veterans Intensive Treatment Unit (VIBU), was developed for veterans experiencing these psychiatric symptoms, for whom conventional treatments had proven ineffective. The VIBU provides patients with trauma-focused and dialectical behaviour therapy (DBT). A recent study revealed that the VIBU was effective in reducing psychiatric symptoms. However, a recurrence of symptoms was observed in patients a few months after discharge. Consequently, an aftercare programme consisting of hybrid DBT is offered to consolidate and repeat the DBT skills and apply them in daily life.

This study aims to determine whether Cognitive Remediation Therapy (CRT) can improve attention, memory, and emotional regulation in people with schizophrenia. CRT is a structured program that includes exercises to strengthen cognitive skills such as problem-solving, working memory, and emotion regulation. The study will recruit 60 participants: 30 individuals with schizophrenia and 30 healthy individuals of similar age and gender. Those with schizophrenia will be randomly assigned to either receive CRT or be placed on a waitlist without therapy. All participants will undergo non-invasive brain activity (EEG) and emotional response (GSR) recordings before and after the therapy. The study's main question is: Does participating in a 12-week CRT program improve brain-based markers of attention and emotional regulation in people with schizophrenia? Additional tests, such as memory and emotion recognition tasks and self-report questionnaires, will help assess changes in thinking skills and emotional well-being. The study may help better understand how CRT affects both brain function and quality of life in schizophrenia.