Mental health intervention using virtual reality for young males with conduct disorder

Compassion-focused Mental Health Intervention With Exposure Training in Virtual Reality for Youngsters Living in an Institution

Not applicable Interventional Helsinki University Central Hospital · NCT05802758

This study is testing a new virtual reality therapy to see if it can help young males with conduct disorder feel better and improve their behavior.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment144 (estimated)
Ages15 Years to 20 Years
SexMale
SponsorHelsinki University Central Hospital Academic / other
Locations2 sites (Helsinki and 1 other locations)
Trial IDNCT05802758 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a Compassion-Focused Therapy (CFT) intervention combined with virtual reality exposure training in reducing symptoms of conduct disorder and psychopathic traits among male prisoners and boys in state residential schools aged 15 to 20. The intervention will focus on enhancing emotional well-being and will also assess factors influencing adherence to the program, such as mental well-being and motivation. Additionally, the study will analyze the costs associated with implementing this intervention.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are male individuals aged 15 to 20 who exhibit conduct disorder and psychopathic personality traits and are placed in a prison or state residential school for at least nine months.

Not a fit: Patients who are female, non-Finnish speaking, or have conditions such as intellectual disability, psychotic symptoms, autism, or a history of epilepsy will not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this intervention could significantly improve emotional well-being and reduce problematic behaviors in young males with conduct disorder.

How similar studies have performed: While the combination of CFT and virtual reality is a novel approach, similar interventions targeting conduct disorder have shown promise in other studies.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Express conduct disorder psychopathology and psychopathic personality traits
* Are placed to a prison or a state residential school for at least 9 months

Exclusion Criteria:

* Females
* Non-Finninsh-speaking
* Remaining in the institution facility less than 9 months
* Intellectual dissability
* Presence of psychotic symptoms
* Autism
* History of epilepsy
* Currently participating another psychotherapeutic intervention

Where this trial is running

Helsinki and 1 other locations

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Conduct DisorderPsychopathic Personality Traitpsychotherapy, virtual reality, boys
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.