Testing a Virtual Reality Program to Improve Thinking and Social Skills in Adults with Psychosis

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating a virtual reality cognitive remediation program designed for adults living with psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. This program aims to improve thinking skills, social skills, and daily functioning in people who often face challenges in work, school, relationships, and independent living. The trial tests both the feasibility and effectiveness of this approach compared to an active control using virtual reality. Participants are randomly assigned to one of two groups a cognitive remediation intervention or an active control, both conducted in virtual reality. Each participant completes a 6-week training with 12 visits, during which they perform exercises in virtual reality sessions lasting about 15 minutes each, separated by breaks, followed by conversations with study staff. The study includes baseline assessments, post-intervention evaluations at one week and three months, and uses a smartphone app to monitor thinking skills and daily functioning at baseline, one week, and six months after the intervention. Throughout the study, participants complete clinical, neurocognitive, social-cognitive, and community functioning assessments during two baseline visits and follow-ups. They also fill out questionnaires about their experience after each training visit and a satisfaction survey one week after completing the program. Researchers measure the feasibility of the intervention through completion rates, symptoms of cybersickness, and acceptability. The study is closely monitored with various outcome measures including changes in cognitive and social functions, community participation, and real-time assessments using the smartphone app DigiSensing.

Examining the Efficacy of a Virtual Reality Cognitive Remediation Program for People Living With Psychosis