Does virtual reality increase the efficacy of psychotherapy for young adults with mild-to-moderate depression? A study protocol for a multicenter randomized clinical trial

Trials

Guillem Feixas¹  Alejandro García-Gutiérrez²  Eugeni García-Grau²  Noelia Niño-Robles²  Miquel Alabèrnia-Segura²  Josep Cañete Crespillo³  Helena García-Mieres⁴  Clara Paz⁵  Adrián Montesano⁶  Joan C. Medina⁶ 

[1] Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, The Institute of Neurosciences, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain;Department of Clinical Psychology and Psychobiology, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain;Department of Mental Health, Consorci Sanitari del Maresme, Hospital de Mataró, Mataró, Spain;Research and Development Unit, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu, Sant Boi de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain;Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red Salud Mental, Madrid, Spain;School of Psychology and Education, Universidad de Las Américas, Quito, Ecuador;School of Psychology and Educational Sciences, Open University of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain;

关键词: Cognitive behavioral therapy;    Personal construct therapy;    Prevention, Psychotherapy efficacy;    Therapeutic alliance;    Repertory grid technique;    Self and identity;    Therapy engagement;    Virtual reality;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s13063-021-05809-1

来源: Springer

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundThe improvement of psychological treatments for depression in young adults is a pressing issue highlighted in the literature. Its relevance is determined not only because young adults are underrepresented in research, but also to prevent chronic severe mental health disorders later in life. Engagement is considered a key factor for a good therapeutic outcome, especially among young patients. In this sense, virtual reality could be particularly suited to engage young adults in the therapy process. This project aims to improve the psychological treatment of mild-to-moderate depression in young adults by testing out the efficacy of virtual reality-enhanced personal construct therapy (PCT-VR), as compared to personal construct therapy alone (PCT) and to the reference standard cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). In contrast to CBT, PCT neither educates patients about depression nor gives them directions on the changes to be made in their dysfunctional behaviors or cognitions. Rather, PCT explores the coherence (or conflicts) of thoughts and behaviors with respect to the person’s sense of identity and focuses on meaning-making processes.MethodsThe efficacy of this innovative intervention (PCT-VR) will be compared to PCT and to CBT in a randomized clinical trial. The study includes an appraisal of therapists’ adherence and independent assessments to preserve internal validity. The Beck Depression Inventory-II is the primary outcome measure for calculating both statistical and clinical significance, but other outcomes will also be assessed (e.g., functioning, well-being, anxiety, stress) at pre- and post-therapy and at 6-month follow-up. The trial will be conducted in a naturalistic context, mostly at the usual health care center of each patient. A sample of 225 participants is targeted to reach enough statistical power to accomplish the goals of the study.DiscussionWe expect that providing evidence for PCT-VR will widen the repertoire of evidence-based technology-based psychotherapeutic interventions for young adults and contribute to the prevention of deteriorating courses of the disorder.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT04321525. Registered on 18 February 2020

【 授权许可】

CC BY