ENGAGE Pilot Study: Alleviating Negative Symptoms in Schizophrenia Using a Virtual Reality-based Intervention Targeting Social Reward Learning

Negative symptoms (NS) are core features of schizophrenia and strongly correlated with vocational and social outcomes, quality of life, and have a higher impact on later outcome than positive symptoms (PS) such as hallucinations and delusions. While there are good medical treatment options for PS, no robust and replicated evidence exists for effective NS treatments. Consistent evidence suggests that abnormalities of the brain reward system are central in the pathogenesis of NS, i.e., the domains of anhedonia and avolition. Preliminary evidence indicates changes in reward learning following therapy is related to a reduction in NS.

Virtual reality (VR) is a promising technologically advanced mental health research tool with high ecological validity. VR allows individuals to immerse themselves in realistic environments and interact with virtual objects, providing a safe and controlled space to address symptoms and improve functioning. Initial evidence (N=4) supports that VR-based interventions significantly reduce NS and improve psychosocial functioning with a medium to large effect size. Given the suggested central role of reward processing disturbances in the pathogenesis of NS, there is an obvious need to investigate the effect of a VR-based intervention targeting reward processing in ameliorating NS.

Both NS and motivational abnormalities reflect complex processes at a system level likely corresponding to functional brain activity within and between several regions and circuits. Supplementing the clinical assessments in the study with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data may clarify whether the intervention directly targeting reward processing has an effect on the biological processes/networks involved.

In sum, this study will explore the prospects of using an innovative, VR-based treatment to treat NS and reward processing deficits in schizophrenia aimed at producing real-life benefits for the patients. If found successful, this pilot study could lay the foundation for a larger randomized clinical trial examining the intervention's effectiveness. Prospectively, these results can pave the way for a much sought-after treatment option for NS.