Virtual Reality Nature Immersion to Reduce Depression in People Engaged in Intensive Outpatient Alcohol Treatment
University of Michigan
Summary
This pilot randomized clinical trial will evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary effectiveness of immersive Virtual Reality (VR) nature intervention among adults with at least moderate depression symptoms enrolled in an intensive outpatient Program (IOP) for Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD). The study hypotheses: * VR-based nature immersion will be feasible, acceptable, and positively evaluated by participants * Participants receiving the VR intervention will report greater reductions in symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress compared to those receiving standard care alone
Eligibility
- Age range
- 18+ years
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- No
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). * Sign…
Interventions
- DeviceVirtual Reality (VR) -nature treatment
Participants assigned to the VR intervention will engage in 5 to 30-minute (gradual increase in duration as tolerated to prevent motion sickness) -3 times per week, immersive VR nature sessions over 4 weeks, using the Apple Vision Pro and Explore POV app, alongside standardintensive outpatient program (IOP) care or other treatments they are receiving (e.g., additional counseling, psychiatry, etc.).
- BehavioralSurvey completion
All participants will complete surveys at various time-points (baseline - 9 weeks).
Location
- University of MichiganAnn Arbor, Michigan