Identity-based therapy using virtual reality for young people with anxiety and depression

Identity-Based Transdiagnostic Therapy for Young People With Anxiety and Depression: Engagement, Efficacy, and Predictors of Outcome

This project tests a new identity-focused therapy that uses virtual reality to see if it helps young adults with anxiety and depression.

Quick facts

• Phase: NA
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 138 (estimated)
• Ages: 16 Years to 29 Years
• Sex: All
• Sponsor: University of Barcelona (other)
• Locations: 2 sites (Badalona and 1 other locations)
• Trial ID: NCT06384196 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

The trial compares Identity-Based Transdiagnostic Therapy (IBTT), a youth-tailored psychotherapy that uses the EYME virtual reality platform to explore self-identity, with a standardized transdiagnostic approach (Unified Protocol). IBTT combines constructivist techniques and immersive VR to increase engagement and target shared emotional processes across anxiety and depression. Participants are young adults with primary symptoms of anxiety and/or depression and will receive structured psychological treatment at participating centers. Outcomes will include symptom change and measures of treatment engagement and acceptability.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are young adults whose primary problems are anxiety and/or depression, who can communicate in Spanish or Catalan and who do not have excluded comorbidities or contraindications to VR.

Not a fit: People with PTSD, bipolar disorder, substance use disorder, psychotic symptoms, significant suicidal ideation, major medical contraindications to VR (including epilepsy or certain cardiovascular conditions), pregnancy, or substantial sensory or cognitive deficits are unlikely to benefit or to be eligible.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the approach could improve symptoms and increase engagement in therapy for young adults with anxiety and depression by using immersive identity-focused work.

How similar studies have performed: Transdiagnostic CBT approaches such as the Unified Protocol have demonstrated effectiveness, and VR-based therapies show promising results for some conditions, but combining identity-focused therapy with VR for young adults is a novel, still-unproven approach.

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion Criteria:

• Participants with symptoms of depression and/or anxiety as their primary complaint.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Participants with post-traumatic stress, bipolar and substance use disorders, psychotic symptoms, organic brain dysfunction, marked suicidal ideation and/or intellectual disability.
* Participants receiving psychological treatment, unless it is suspended at the time of inclusion in the study itself in agreement with their therapist.
* Participants for whom the use of virtual reality may pose a risk, even a minor risk (epilepsia, acute otorhinolaryngological processes or recent interventions, severe cardiovascular disease, unstable hypertension, and pregnancy).
* Participants with substantial visual, hearing, and cognitive deficits.
* Participants who do not have enough competence to communicate in Spanish or Catalan.

Where this trial is running

Badalona and 1 other locations

• Badalona Serveis Assistencials — Badalona, Spain (RECRUITING)
• Associació Centre Higiene Mental Nou Barris — Barcelona, Spain (RECRUITING)

Study contacts

• Principal investigator: Guillem Feixas, PhD — University of Barcelona
• Study coordinator: Guillem Feixas, PhD

Conditions: Depression, Anxiety, Young Adult, Virtual Reality, Self-identity, Sense of identity, Psychological Conflict, Self-concept