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Virtual Reality Cognitive-Affective Training for Opioid Use Disorder- A Phase 2 RCT

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Opioid Use Disorder
Interventions
Device: MORE-VR
Other: Treatment as Usual
Registration Number
NCT06021431
Lead Sponsor
BehaVR LLC
Brief Summary

The goal of this clinical trial is to examine the usefulness of a virtual reality-delivered intervention for individuals with opioid use disorder who are taking medication. The main question it aims to answer is will people with opioid use disorder who receive the study intervention, Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement in Virtual Reality (MORE-VR), have fewer days in which they use opioids than will people who just receive their usual treatment. Participants will be randomly assigned to either receive 8 weekly sessions of MORE-VR in addition to their usual treatment, or treatment as usual only. Researchers will compare these groups at the end of treatment and three months after treatment is over on number of days of opioid use and time until first opioid use lapse, as well as drug craving and mood.

Detailed Description

This project is a Phase II, two-arm, parallel randomized controlled trial (RCT) of a virtual reality form of Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE-VR) versus treatment as usual (TAU) for patients receiving medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) to assess the efficacy of the MORE-VR system. Participants will be randomized (1:1) to either 8 weekly sessions of MORE-VR or TAU. Participants will be assessed at intake, post-treatment, and a 3 month post-treatment follow-up. The primary outcome assessed will be days of opioid use.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
128
Inclusion Criteria
  • 18 years of age or older
  • current DSM-5 OUD diagnosis
  • prescribed medications for opioid use disorder (e.g., buprenorphine, methadone)
Exclusion Criteria
  • completion of a standardized mindfulness intervention (e.g., MORE, MBRP, MBSR)
  • active psychosis or suicidality
  • reports, or is noted by clinical or study staff as showing cognitive impairment
  • condition which might be contraindicated for VR use including seizure disorder, vertigo, severe motion sickness, recent concussion

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
MORE-VRMORE-VRAn 8-session version of Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) delivered by virtual reality. The treatment involves training in mindfulness, reappraisal, and savoring techniques to address OUD. Participants in this arm will also receive Treatment as usual (TAU) with medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) such as buprenorphine, methadone, or naltrexone plus any psychological counseling they are already receiving in their standard care.
MORE-VRTreatment as UsualAn 8-session version of Mindfulness-Oriented Recovery Enhancement (MORE) delivered by virtual reality. The treatment involves training in mindfulness, reappraisal, and savoring techniques to address OUD. Participants in this arm will also receive Treatment as usual (TAU) with medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) such as buprenorphine, methadone, or naltrexone plus any psychological counseling they are already receiving in their standard care.
Treatment as Usual (TAU)Treatment as UsualTreatment as usual (TAU) with medications for opioid use disorder (MOUD) such as buprenorphine, methadone, or naltrexone plus any psychological counseling they are already receiving in their standard care.
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Days of opioid useBaseline to post-treatment assessment (8 weeks)

Days of opioid use assessed with the Timeline Followback method, ecological momentary assessments, and/or drug toxicology screen

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Health-related Quality of LifeBaseline through 3 month post-treatment follow-up

World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale Quality of life measured by the World Health Organization Quality of Life Scale (WHO-5), scores ranging from 0 to 25, with higher scores indicating better quality of life.

Days of opioid use at follow-upBaseline to 3 months post treatment (20 weeks from baseline)

Days of opioid use assessed with the Timeline Followback method, ecological momentary assessments, and/or drug toxicology screen

Time until opioid lapseBaseline through 3 month post-treatment follow-up

Number of days until opioid lapse assessed with the Timeline Followback method, ecological momentary assessments, and/or drug toxicology screen

Positive AffectBaseline, post-treatment, 3 month post-treatment follow-up, and weekly during intervention period

0-10 numeric rating scale via ecological momentary assessment (0=no positive affect, 10=extremely strong positive affect).

DistressBaseline through 3 month post-treatment follow-up

Emotional distress measured by the Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, range from 0 to 63, higher scores indicating worse distress.

Time until dropout from opioid use disorder treatmentBaseline through 3 month post-treatment follow-up

Number of days unti dropout from treatment, assessed by Timeline Followback and chart review

Opioid cravingBaseline, post-treatment, 3 month post-treatment follow-up, and weekly during intervention period

0-10 numeric rating scale via ecological momentary assessment (0=no craving, 10=extreme craving).

Desire for drugsBaseline, post-treatment, 3 month post-treatment follow-up, and weekly during intervention period

Desires for Drug Questionnaire, range from 14 to 98, higher scores indicating more intense desires for drugs

Negative AffectBaseline, post-treatment, 3 month post-treatment follow-up, and weekly during intervention period

0-10 numeric rating scale via ecological momentary assessment (0=no negative affect, 10=extremely strong negative affect).

Positive and Negative Affect ScheduleBaseline, post-treatment, 3 month post-treatment follow-up, and weekly during intervention period

A 20-item scale measuring both positive and negative affect, where each affective term is rated on a scale of 1 (not at all) to 5 (very much)

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

University of Utah

🇺🇸

Salt Lake City, Utah, United States

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