A systematic review of virtual reality therapies for substance use disorders: Impact on secondary treatment outcomes

A pilot study of virtual reality for inpatients with opioid use disorder

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

While inpatient withdrawal management/acute stabilization can improve outcomes for individuals with opioid use disorder (OUD), patients often leave treatment early due to mood, tension, and cravings associated with opioid withdrawal. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of a novel virtual reality (VR) based intervention; 3D Therapy Thrive (3DTT).

METHODS

Subjects with OUD (N = 32) were recruited from a community acute stabilization program and received up to two sessions of 3DTT. They completed questionnaires related to their overall satisfaction with the experience and side effects; as well as those related to mood, tension, and cravings.

RESULTS

There were no reported side effects and the majority of subjects (94%) reported high satisfaction with the experience. Out of 62 patients approached, 33 patients agreed to participate (53%) 33 patients completed one, and 17 of these patients (52%) completed both sessions of 3DTT, with 19 participants (58%) completing their treatment protocols. Compared to baseline, 3DTT participants reported significant reductions in depression, tension, and cravings (p's < 0.001).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS

This pilot study supports the feasibility and preliminary effectiveness of 3DTT for improving outcomes for inpatients with OUD. Future randomized controlled trials are necessary to evaluate the efficacy of 3DTT for improving retention, reducing cravings, and improving mood and tension.

SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE

This is the first study to evaluate the feasibility of a psychologically informed VR intervention in inpatients with OUD.

Effects of virtual reality-based cue exposure therapy on craving and physiological responses in alcohol-dependent patients-a randomised controlled trial

BACKGROUND

Cue exposure therapy is used to treat alcohol dependence. However, its effectiveness is controversial due to the limitations of the clinical treatment setting. Virtual reality technology may improve the therapeutic effect. The aim of this study is to explore whether virtual reality-based cue exposure therapy can reduce the psychological craving and physiological responses of patients with alcohol dependence.

METHODS

Forty-four male alcohol-dependent patients were recruited and divided into the study group (n = 23) and the control group (n = 21) according to a random number table. The control group received only conventional clinical treatment for alcohol dependence. The study group received conventional clinical treatment with the addition of VR cue exposure (treatment). The primary outcome was to assess psychological craving and physiological responses to cues of patients before and after treatment.

RESULTS

After virtual reality-based cue exposure therapy, the changes in VAS and heart rate before and after cue exposure in the study group were significantly lower than those in the control group (P < 0.05), while the changes in skin conductance and respiration between the study group and the control group were not significantly different (P > 0.05). The changes in VAS and heart rate before and after cue exposure in the study group were significantly lower than those before treatment (P < 0.05), while the changes in skin conductance and respiration were not significantly different from those before treatment (P > 0.05). The changes in VAS, heart rate, skin conductance and respiration before and after cue exposure in the control group were not significantly different from those before treatment (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Virtual reality-based cue exposure therapy can reduce the psychological craving and part of the physiological responses of alcohol-dependent patients during cue exposure in the short term and may be helpful in the treatment of alcohol dependence.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

The study protocol was registered at the China Clinical Trial Registry on 26/02/2021 ( www.chictr.org.cn ; ChiCTR ID: ChiCTR2100043680).