Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 11, 2026
10:32
Development of a Virtual Reality Assessment of Everyday Living Skills
Published on: April 23, 2014
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Improving social functioning in people with substance use and mental health disorders using virtual reality (ROPVR):
Anne Berit Bech1,2, Theresa Friederike Wechsler3, Andreas Mühlberger3
1Research Center for Substance Use Disorders and Mental Illness, Innlandet Hospital Trust, Brumunddal, Norway. anne.berit.bech@sykehuset-innlandet.no.
Trials
|April 10, 2026
Summary
Virtual reality (VR) social functioning training may improve social skills in individuals with substance use disorders (SUDs). This study investigates VR as an adjunct to standard treatment for SUDs to enhance patient functionality.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences
- Rehabilitation Medicine
- Health Technology Assessment
Background:
- Substance use disorders (SUDs) frequently lead to impaired social, occupational, and recreational functioning.
- Social functioning is crucial for building relationships and life success, encompassing social skills, behavior, and cognition.
- Current treatments for SUDs often struggle to adequately address social functioning deficits.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of tailored virtual reality (VR) social functioning training.
- To assess VR training as an adjunct to in-patient SUD treatment.
- To measure improvements in patient functionality using the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Scale 2.0 at 6 months post-intervention.
Main Methods:
- A two-arm, statistician-blinded, pragmatic, multi-site randomized controlled trial.
- Participants (n=?) randomly assigned 1:1 to standard in-patient SUD treatment (control) or standard treatment plus 8 VR social functioning training sessions (intervention).
- Functioning assessed at baseline (T0), 6 weeks (T1), 6 months (T2), and 12 months (T3) for clinical and health economic outcomes.
Main Results:
- Data collection and analysis are ongoing; results will be reported upon study completion.
- The study aims to determine if VR intervention leads to statistically significant improvements in social functioning compared to standard care.
- Anticipated outcomes include enhanced social skills, improved relationships, and greater community participation for individuals with SUDs.
Conclusions:
- VR training shows promise for enhancing social functioning in individuals with SUDs.
- This trial is the first to explore VR's specific application in improving social functioning for this population.
- Findings are expected to offer valuable insights for clinicians and health authorities regarding novel SUD treatment modalities.
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