Klecany

Researchers are evaluating the effectiveness of Mi Bridge, an anonymous online program based on Motivational Interviewing, to encourage high-risk individuals with sexual interest in children to seek treatment. The study aims to improve access to safe, evidence-based care in multiple languages and countries, focusing on reducing the risk of child sexual abuse and improving participants health. The main questions include whether Mi Bridge increases help-seeking behavior and motivation to change sexual behaviors involving children. The intervention involves up to five anonymous conversations via voice calls or text chat over three weeks, helping participants understand themselves and their willingness to change while connecting them to care they need. Participants are randomly assigned either to receive Mi Bridge or to a waitlist with no active intervention but weekly assessments. Recruitment occurs through Darknet and Clearnet platforms, with informed consent obtained anonymously. After joining, participants complete baseline questionnaires and regular weekly self-assessments during and after the intervention or waitlist periods to measure motivation, sexual interest, behaviors, depression symptoms, and risk factors. These evaluations help researchers assess the interventions effectiveness and safety. The study duration and follow-up details are structured around pre-intervention, during intervention, and immediate post-intervention timepoints.

Researchers are evaluating the ReDirection program, a self-help cognitive behavioral therapy designed for individuals with low to medium risk of committing child sexual abuse who have sexual interest in children and use child sexual abuse material CSAM. The study aims to test if ReDirection is a feasible, effective, and safe method to reduce CSAM use and related behaviors while improving the health of participants. This international multicenter study uses a randomized waitlist controlled design and includes participants from six countries speaking seven different languages. The ReDirection program consists of five modules that help participants better understand and manage risky sexual thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. Participants are either actively engaged in this self-help program or placed on a waitlist without intervention but complete the same weekly questionnaires. The intervention is provided through an online platform, and participants can anonymously contact a practitioner by chat if needed. The program includes an anonymous follow-up chat after completion. Participants join the study by consenting online without revealing personal identifying information and complete a baseline survey with validated questionnaires. Weekly assessments occur during the waitlist and intervention phases to evaluate effectiveness and safety. Outcome measures include sexual interest involving children, CSAM use, related behaviors, depressive symptoms, dynamic risk factors for abuse, and hypersexuality, all assessed at multiple points. The study is sponsored by Karolinska Institutet and began in September 2023, continuing until October 2024.

Researchers are investigating the use of speech and self-report data to estimate relapse risk in people with psychotic disorders. This observational, multinational study involves individuals at risk of psychotic relapse and healthy controls, aiming to assess the feasibility of collecting speech data in six different languages over a 12-month period. The study explores new speech markers for predicting relapse while minimizing burden on participants and supports future research into clinical decision support systems. Participants will complete weekly speech assessments through a smartphone app, which collects speech and self-report data to be securely transferred for AI-based analysis. Two groups are involved individuals at risk of psychotic relapse and healthy controls. The study includes three in-person visits at baseline, six months, and twelve months to evaluate system usability and functional outcomes. Independent clinical evaluations ensure data quality and validate AI-generated risk scores, which are not shared with treating clinicians. During the study, participants will provide weekly speech recordings and self-reports, with quality control performed by designated reviewers checking audio and transcription accuracy. Researchers measure user adherence, transcription quality, usability of recordings, and the performance of the relapse prediction system. Follow-up assessments include clinical evaluations, functional and quality-of-life measures, and exploration of novel speech markers. The total participation lasts one year, with safety and usability monitored throughout.

Researchers are evaluating the use of virtual reality exposure therapy VRET for treating obsessive-compulsive disorder OCD in inpatient adults aged 17 to 55. This randomized controlled trial compares three groups one receiving standard cognitive behavioral therapy CBT with VRET, another receiving CBT with VR cognitive training to improve cognitive flexibility, and a third group receiving standard CBT alone. The study aims to measure how well VRET works by assessing OCD symptoms and adherence to therapy assignments before and after treatment. The experimental group participates in a 6-week CBT program with five weekly 30-40 minute sessions using immersive VR glasses to experience scenarios in a virtual OCD house tailored to common OCD triggers like contamination, checking, and ordering. Therapists adjust difficulty levels and guide patients during sessions. The first control group receives the same CBT duration with VR games designed for cognitive training, while the second control group completes standard CBT without VR. All groups have regular group and individual psychotherapy sessions over the 6 weeks. Participants undergo repeated assessments using tools such as the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale Y-BOCS, Beck Depression Inventory, and Beck Anxiety Inventory at baseline, during treatment, post-treatment, and 2 months after treatment ends. Adherence to exposure assignments and anxiety levels are also monitored. The study includes safety assessments for VR use and follows participants through a follow-up period to evaluate lasting effects.

This research aims to evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality exposure therapy VRET for treating obsessive-compulsive disorder OCD in outpatient psychiatry or clinical psychology settings. It uses a within-subject design where patients first undergo a waiting period before receiving treatment. The study focuses on patients diagnosed with OCD and assesses how well VRET works compared to a baseline waiting period. Participants start with informed consent and baseline questionnaires, followed by a five-week waitlist period without changing existing treatments. Afterward, they receive five weekly sessions of exposure therapy using virtual reality, involving immersive VR glasses and a virtual OCD house environment. The therapy targets common OCD triggers, including contamination, checking, ordering, and hoarding, with difficulty levels adjusted individually by therapists. Throughout the study, researchers monitor symptoms and treatment effects using several assessments, including the Yale-Brown Obsessive-Compulsive Scale, Beck Depression and Anxiety Inventories, and anxiety inventories before and after treatments and at 3-month follow-up. Therapy sessions are tracked for adherence and distress levels, with safety monitored via questionnaires after VR sessions. The total participation spans about ten weeks, covering waiting and treatment periods.