Virtual-reality nature immersion for adults in outpatient alcohol treatment.
Virtual Reality Nature Immersion to Reduce Depression in People Engaged in Intensive Outpatient Alcohol Treatment
This pilot will try immersive virtual-reality nature sessions to see if they help adults with alcohol use disorder and moderate-or-worse depression symptoms who are enrolled in an intensive outpatient program.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 50 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Michigan Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Ann Arbor, Michigan) |
| Trial ID | NCT07413458 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This is a pilot randomized clinical trial comparing immersive virtual-reality (VR) nature sessions plus standard intensive outpatient program (IOP) care versus standard care alone for adults with alcohol use disorder and at least moderate depressive symptoms. Participants recruited from the University of Michigan Addiction Treatment Services (UMATS) IOP will be randomized to receive repeated VR nature exposures during their IOP enrollment and will complete surveys measuring depression, anxiety, stress, acceptability, and feasibility. Key exclusions include seizure disorders, severe motion sickness or vestibular conditions, psychosis, significant cognitive impairment, active suicidal plan, or inability to use the VR headset due to vision correction needs. The study will collect preliminary effectiveness and implementation data to inform larger trials and is conducted in-person at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Adults with a documented alcohol use disorder who are enrolled in or planning to enroll in the UMATS intensive outpatient program and who have a PHQ-9 score of 10 or higher, and who can tolerate VR (no seizure disorder, severe motion sickness, or disqualifying psychiatric/cognitive conditions).
Not a fit: People with seizure disorders, severe VR-induced nausea/dizziness, vestibular disorders, psychosis, significant cognitive impairment, active suicidal plan, or who require strong prescription glasses that prevent safe VR use are unlikely to benefit or be eligible.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could offer a tolerable, nonpharmacologic adjunct to reduce depression, anxiety, and stress during outpatient treatment for alcohol use disorder.
How similar studies have performed: Small prior studies of VR nature exposure have shown reductions in stress and mood symptoms, but using immersive VR specifically within IOP care for alcohol use disorder is novel and not yet proven.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Individuals with a documented AUD diagnosis * Individuals enrolled in an Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP) (First week enrollment or planned enrollment in Michigan Medicine's Addiction Treatment Services (UMATS) IOP) * Individuals with a Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) score (≥10, moderate or greater depression symptoms) Exclusion Criteria: * Severe motion sickness or sensitivity to VR-induced nausea or dizziness (anticipated \<10%), medical contraindications to VR use (e.g., seizure disorders, vestibular disorders, agoraphobia, claustrophobia, psychosis). * Significant cognitive impairments that prevent provision of informed consent * Suicidal ideation or plan after consultation with treating clinician * Participants who require vision correction with glasses, unless vision correction is mild (±1), or the participant does not have prescription contact lenses.
Where this trial is running
Ann Arbor, Michigan
- University of Michigan — Ann Arbor, Michigan, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Hala Darwish, PhD — University of Michigan
- Study coordinator: Zee Petrie
- Email: petrieli@med.umich.edu
- Phone: 734-647-3357
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.