Virtual reality therapy for cocaine use disorder
Virtual Reality Cue Exposure Therapy for Cocaine Craving: an Innovative Cognitive and Behavioral Psychotherapy for Cocaine Use Disorder (Psychothérapie Innovante COmportementale et Cognitive Pour le Trouble d'Usage de Cocaïne; PICOC)
This study is testing if virtual reality therapy can help people with cocaine use disorder feel less cravings compared to traditional therapy methods.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 54 (estimated) |
| Ages | 18 Years and up |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University Hospital Center of Martinique Academic / other |
| Locations | 2 sites (Fort-de-France and 1 other locations) |
| Trial ID | NCT05833529 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
This clinical trial investigates the efficacy of Virtual Reality Cue Exposure Therapy (VRCET) compared to traditional Cue Exposure Therapy (CET) in reducing cravings for cocaine among patients diagnosed with cocaine use disorder. Participants will undergo a series of therapeutic interventions over a period of weeks, including VRCET, Memory Focused Cognitive Therapy, and Pictures-based Cue Exposure Therapy. The study aims to determine whether the immersive nature of VRCET can lead to better outcomes in craving reduction than classical methods. The trial is conducted in a clinical setting at designated hospitals in Martinique.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this study are adults aged 18 and older who are diagnosed with cocaine use disorder and are voluntarily hospitalized for treatment.
Not a fit: Patients with current high suicide risk, psychotic disorders, or significant symptoms of cyberkinetosis may not benefit from this study.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could significantly improve treatment outcomes for patients struggling with cocaine addiction by providing a more effective method to manage cravings.
How similar studies have performed: While traditional cue exposure therapies have been used, the application of virtual reality in this context is relatively novel and has not been extensively tested in prior studies.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Adult patients (age greater than or equal to 18), * Present the diagnostic criteria for a cocaine use disorder (DSM-5; SCID 5-CV), * Be voluntarily hospitalized and engaged in a residential standard treatment for cocaine use disorder at the Universitary Hospital of Martinique or at the Hospital Centre of Saint-Esprit in Martinique, * Present a motivation of "action" or "maintenance" of cocaine use cessation (University of Rhode Island Change Assessment Scale), * Have been informed of the research, * Have given free, informed and express consent, * Be affiliated to a social security scheme. Exclusion Criteria: * Present the diagnostic criteria (MINI 5.0.0.; DSM-IV): * Current high suicide risk episode, * Current psychotic syndrome, * Current mania or hypomania episode, * Current post-traumatic stress * Present significant symptoms of cyberkinetosis in virtual reality exposure (SP-IE), * Present another current medical condition at risk of danger or inability to comply with the protocol (e.g. heart problems, blindness or deafness,...), * Be placed under legal safeguard, guardianship or curatorship, * Patient who refused to participate in the study, * Pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Where this trial is running
Fort-de-France and 1 other locations
- University Hospital Center of Martinique — Fort-de-France, Martinique (Recruiting)
- Hospital Center of Saint-Esprit (Martinique) — Saint-Esprit, Martinique (Not_yet_recruiting)
Study contacts
- Principal investigator: Jérôme LACOSTE, MD — CHU of Martinique
- Study coordinator: Thomas LEHOUX, Ph.D. Candidate
- Email: thomas.lehoux@hotmail.fr
- Phone: 06 66 33 78 41
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.