VR avatar therapy for psychosis: linking thinking, self-awareness, and social cognition

Is this trial a fit for you?

A plain-English reading of the study's rules. Only the study team can confirm whether you qualify.

What this trial studies

Participants with schizophrenia and ongoing auditory hallucinations will receive seven individual VR-based avatar therapy sessions delivered over a 12-week intervention period. Researchers will measure neurocognition, metacognition, emotion recognition, attributional style, theory of mind, and social perception using validated tools at screening, baseline, during therapy, and at a post-therapy follow-up. Childhood trauma will also be measured to explore its role as a predisposing factor. The goal is to identify which cognitive and metacognitive profiles predict better or worse therapy outcomes to inform more personalized approaches.

Why it matters

Who can join: the full rules

\*\*Inclusion Criteria:\*\*

* Adults aged 18 years or older.
* Diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum disorder according to DSM-5 criteria.
* Experience of persistent auditory hallucinations for at least 3 months (PANSS hallucination score ≥ 3).
* Stable medication dosage for at least 4 weeks prior to recruitment.
* Fluent in the spoken language of the study site (Spanish).
* Able to provide informed consent.
* Regular psychiatric follow-up care.

\*\*Exclusion Criteria:\*\*

* Inability to identify a dominant voice for Avatar Therapy intervention.
* Intellectual disability based on medical history.
* Active substance abuse.
* Central nervous system injury or neurological disorders affecting cognitive performance.
* Severe visual impairment that precludes the use of VR technology.
* Aversion to virtual reality or prior experience of simulator sickness.
* Current suicidal ideation or risk.
* Lack of cooperation or inability to comply with study procedures.

Where it's running

• Fundació Sant Joan de Déu - Unitat de Recerca del Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu
  Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain Recruiting

Study contacts

• Study coordinator: Susana Ochoa, PhD
• Email: susana.ochoa@sjd.es
• Phone: +34936406350

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How to take part

1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
2. Check the official listing on ClinicalTrials.gov for the latest contact details and recruitment status.
3. Contact the study coordinator or principal investigator to ask for pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.