Adding alcohol-related smells to virtual-reality cue exposure for people with alcohol dependence
Feasibility of Integrating Olfactory Stimuli Into Virtual Reality Cue Exposure for Patients With Alcohol Dependence
NA · Charite University, Berlin, Germany · NCT07388693
This project will try adding alcohol odors to virtual-reality cue exposures to see if that approach is feasible and acceptable for people with alcohol dependence.
Quick facts
| Phase | NA |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 20 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years to 65 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | Charite University, Berlin, Germany (other) |
| Locations | 1 site (Berlin, State of Berlin) |
| Trial ID | NCT07388693 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Twenty adults with alcohol dependence treated at a psychiatric clinic will take part in a feasibility protocol combining virtual-reality (VR) scenarios with matched olfactory stimuli. After screening, participants will experience one neutral VR scene with a neutral scent and five alcohol-related VR exposures (beer, white wine, red wine, vodka, schnapps) presented in random order while craving and tolerability are measured. Standard clinical measures (AUDIT, ADS), breath alcohol testing, and checks for smell function will be used to confirm eligibility and record baseline characteristics. The primary aims are feasibility, tolerability, and acceptability of embedding smells into VR cue-exposure and to explore which alcohol odors most strongly elicit craving.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults aged 18–65 with a diagnosis of alcohol dependence, a history of craving, at least seven days abstinent, intact sense of smell, and the ability to give informed consent are the ideal candidates.
Not a fit: People with reduced smell function, current alcohol intoxication or ongoing pharmacological treatment for alcohol use disorder, severe neuropsychiatric disorders, or dependence on other substances are unlikely to benefit from this protocol.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could make VR cue-exposure more realistic and help tailor relapse-prevention or craving-reduction approaches by targeting odors that trigger craving.
How similar studies have performed: While VR cue-exposure has been used in addiction research with some positive signals, embedding systematic olfactory stimuli in VR-CE for alcohol craving is largely novel and untested at scale.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * age: 18-65 years * diagnosis of alcohol dependence according to ICD-10 (F10.2) * history of alcohol craving * able to provide written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * hyposmia * dependence on substances other than alcohol and nicotine * current alcohol intoxication (randomly tested by measurement of breath alcohol concentration) * unable to understand the study information, consent form or principles of the study * abstinence for less than 7 days or ongoing consumption of alcohol * severe neuropsychiatric disorder (e.g. schizophrenia spectrum disorders, bipolar affective disorder) or substantial cognitive impairment * serious illnesses affecting brain or heart function that influence physiological study parameters * acute suicidality (or acute endangerment of others) * concurrent pharmacological treatment targeting AUD (e.g. benzodiazepines) or craving (e.g. acamprosate, disulfiram, naltrexone, nalmefene) and further medication significantly influencing heart rate
Where this trial is running
Berlin, State of Berlin
- Psychiatric University Hospital Charité at St. Hedwig Hospital — Berlin, State of Berlin, Germany (RECRUITING)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Alva Lütt, Dr. med. — Psychiatrische Universitätsklinik der Charité im St. Hedwig Krankenhaus, 10115 Berlin, Germany
- Study coordinator: Nadja Ruckser, M.Sc.
- Email: nadja.ruckser@charite.de
- Phone: +49 30 838 67876
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions: Alcohol Dependence, Alcohol Dependence, Virtual Reality Cue Exposure, Olfactory