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A Study to Evaluate the Efficacy of VR for Bipolar Disorder

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Bipolar Disorder
VR
Interventional Study
Interventions
Device: VR therapy
Device: VR sham
Registration Number
NCT06399523
Lead Sponsor
Shanghai Mental Health Center
Brief Summary

Bipolar disorder is characterized by high morbidity, recurrence, disability, suicide and comorbidity rate which need novel, efficient, and safe treatment methods, and VR has demonstrate its efficacy in mental disease but not few focus on bipolar disorder. A prospective single center randomize clinical study therefore would be carried on to evaluate the efficacy of VR for Bipolar Disorder in China.

Detailed Description

Bipolar disorder (BD) refers to a type of mood disorder that clinically manifests as both manic or hypomanic episodes and depressive episodes. Bipolar disorder is characterized by high morbidity, recurrence, disability, suicide and comorbidity rate. The first episode often occurs before age 20, with a lifetime morbidity rate ranging from 1.5% to 6.4% . Patients with bipolar disorder spend significantly more time experiencing depressive episodes than manic or mixed symptoms throughout their lives. At the same time, depressive episodes can cause severe psycho-social disabilities, imposing a heavy economic burden on their families and society .

Despite being the first-line recommended treatment for bipolar depression, pharmacotherapy still cannot fully meet the clinical needs. Some patients do not achieve clinical remission even after receiving adequate and full-course pharmacotherapy. Even if clinical remission is achieved, many patients still have residual symptoms, and those in the maintenance phase still face a high risk of relapse. Psychotherapy has been reported to have various benefits such as improving interpersonal communication skills, enhancing cohesion, and building social support systems, and it has been widely used in the treatment of depression. Although psychological intervention plays a crucial role in the treatment of bipolar depression, its application in reality is still limited. One important reason is the shortage of psychological treatment service resources.

The application of virtual reality (VR) technology in the treatment of mental illnesses has overcome the limitations of traditional psychotherapy techniques. It provides a safer, more controllable, and personalized treatment approach, enabling patients to experience environments and events more intuitively and vividly. This study aims to explore the clinical intervention effects of a mental disorder adjuvant treatment software developed by Nanjing XR-Oasis Technology Co., Ltd. on patients with bipolar disorder experiencing depressive episodes. The technology is based on the theoretical frameworks of cognitive behavioral therapy, interpersonal therapy, mental health education, and Naikan therapy, combined with VR technology.

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
48
Inclusion Criteria
  • 13 years or older
  • Meet the diagnostic criteria for bipolar disorder - depressive episode in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5)
  • Able to understand the content of the scale
  • Certain abilities in expressive, reading, and listening
  • Total score of >17 on the Hamilton Rating Scale for Depression (HAMD-17)
  • Inform consent
Exclusion Criteria
  • Poor physical condition unable to participate in the study
  • Currently or previously diagnosed with other major mental disorders according to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition(DSM-5)
  • Severe or active physical illnesses that interfere with the study treatment
  • Suicidal or self-harming ideas (defined as a score of >3 on item 3 of the Hamilton Depression Scale-17 suicide scale)
  • Pregnant or lactating women
  • Participate in other clinical trials within 1 month
  • Epilepsy or severe eye diseases

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
PARALLEL
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
VR therapyVR therapy-
VR shamVR sham-
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Evolution of Depression1 month

Changes in the total score of HAMD-17 at the end of the study compared to baseline

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Changes in Patient Satisfaction Scale2 months

Changes in patients satisfaction scale before and after treatment, and 1 month follow-up

Changes in the Clinical Global Impression Scale2 months

Improvement (CGI-I) and Severity (CGI-S) scores compared to baseline

Conversion to mania2 months

Change of A Young Mania Rating Scale(YMRS) \>13 before and after treatment, and 1 month follow-up

Change in Quality of life2 months

Change in quality of life score before and after treatment, and 1 month follow-up

Intervention Acceptability2 months

Acceptability was assessed by questions, "Rate the VR storyline on a scale of 0 to 5". Acceptability was measured with total score of the scale

Clinical Response2 months

A reduction of ≥50% in the total score of HAMD-17 compared to baseline; specifically, sustained response is defined as a continuous reduction of ≥50% in the total score of HAMD-17 at the end of the 4th and 8th weeks of treatment compared to baseline

Change in biological rhythms2 months

Change in Biological Rhythms Interview of Assessment in Neuropsychiatry(BRAIN) Scale before and after treatment, and 1 month follow-up

Adverse Events2 months

Change of Treatment Emergent Symptom Scale(TESS)before and after treatment, and 1 month follow-up

Early Response2 weeks

A reduction of ≥20% in the total score of HAMD-17 at the end of the 2nd week of treatment compared to baseline

Clinical Remission2 months

A total score of HAMD-17 ≤7; particularly, complete remission is defined as a total score of HAMD-17 ≤7 at the end of both the 4th and 8th weeks of treatment

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

Shanghai Mental Health Center

🇨🇳

Shanghai, Shanghai, China

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