Virtual Reality (VR-GINSO) as an Complement to Intervention for Alcohol and Cannabis Use in Youth in Residential Care

Condition(s) studied

Investigational drug(s) / intervention(s)

Virtual Reality: This group will undergo a 1 individual session with a Virtual Reality program targeting emotion recognition, training on avoidance-approximation to associated stimuli, and exposure to conditioned contexts for substance use. During this session, participants will train specific abilities throug various activities. The tasks have been designed as a serious game in a Virtual Reality setting and include: emotion identification and recognition, practicing avoidance of conditioned substance use stimuli, and approximation to neutral stimuli, and exposure to conditioned situations to train regulation and management abilities for craving.

Treatment as Usual (TAU): Participants in this group will receive treatment as usual provided by the facility, with no additional intervention. Treatment will be delivered ober the same period of time as in the other study group. Participants will complete one baseline assessment before the study period, and one post-intervention assessment.

Study summary

The goal of this RCT is to evaluate the effects of a virtual reality intervention on self-efficacy regarding alcohol and cannabis use among at-risk youth in various residential mental health treatment centers who have co-occurring disorders and are under the care of the association where they receive treatment. The main question it aims to answer is:

• Does the VR intervention enhance the therapeutic effect of residential treatment on self-efficacy regarding alcohol and cannabis use? If there is a comparison group: Researchers will compare the intervention with the usual care (UC) that minors receive at the centers for the treatment of dual diagnosis to see if VR adds value to this treatment.

Participants will be randomly assigned to each condition and will be evaluated before and after one month. In the experimental group, participants will receive a treatment session using VR software, during which they will undergo training in the following modules: The first phase is an assessment phase, during which objective measures are determined for 1) emotional recognition, 2) avoidance/approach toward related stimuli, 3) degree of compliance with social pressure, and 4) craving in the presence of the drug, exposure to cues, and/or conditioned contexts.

Eligibility

Primary outcome measure(s)

• Self-Efficacy for Drug Taking measured with Drug-Taking Confidence Questionnaire (DTCQ-8) — Baseline (pre-intervention), Intervention (pre-post), Post. Up to 12 weeks
  The Drug-Taking Confidence Questionnaire (DTCQ) measures the self-efficacy of individuals regarding their ability to resist drug use.

Trial sites (1)

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