ISLAMABAD, MAY 13 (ONLINE): Virtual reality treatment for major depressive disorder is as effective as a current first-line therapy in a new study from Stanford University.
There is some suggestion in the study, however, that the virtual reality system’s benefits may be related to the placebo effect.
Further investigation is warranted, and may result in virtual reality being added to existing therapies.
A new study investigates the use of extended reality headsets in treating major depressive disorder.
The authors of the study — which appears in JMIR Mental Health — found that virtual reality treatment showed promise, producing results equivalent to current telehealth therapy for depression.
Extended reality (XR) places a headset wearer in a synthesized virtual reality (VR) environment of sight and sound.
The current study compared the efficacy of one of the the current first-line intervention for major depressive disorder (MDD), behavioral activation therapy, with an extended reality-enhanced version the study refers to as “XR-BA.”
The researchers suggest that XR-BA therapy may offer more enjoyable treatment, thus encouraging patients to continue receiving it.
How do we know if VR helps treat depression?
The primary measure used in the study were the participants’ scores in their responses to a Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) conducted via telephone. Higher PHQ-9 scores indicated more severe MDD.
The study involved 26 participants who were randomly assigned to receive either a 3-week, 4-session course of behavioral activation therapy, or to a group receiving similarly configured sessions of XR-BA therapy. The XR-BA participants were outfitted with Meta Quest 2 virtual reality headsets.
Participants’ mean age was 50.3 years, plus or minus 17 years. Of these, 73% were women, 23% men, and 4% nonbinary or of a third gender.
Both groups exhibited a similar and statistically significant reduction in their PHQ-9 scores, as well as in the severity of their symptoms, between the beginning and end of the trial.
Among the XR-BA group, PHQ-9 scores dropped even before the first session, suggesting positive feelings regarding the upcoming trial, and a placebo effect.
Virtual reality may help ‘reduce barriers’ to depression care
For individuals with MDD who are interested in new technology, XR-BA therapy may present therapeutic content within a compelling environment.
First author Margot Paul, PsyD, MS, clinical assistant professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University, explained in a press release:
“Clinicians could use XR as a treatment tool to help motivate clients to actively participate in their psychotherapy treatment by completing ‘homework’ that is novel, fun, and accessible. These results indicate that XR may help to de-stigmatize mental healthcare and reduce barriers to individuals seeking care.”
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