Recruiting

Virtual Reality (VR) NATURE - Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD)

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…

ClinicalTrials.gov IDNCT07413458

PhaseNA

Enrollment50

SponsorUniversity of Michigan

Age18 Years

SexALL

I'm interested View official listing

Conditions studied

Alcohol Use Disorder

About this study

Interventions

Device: Virtual 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.).
Behavioral: Survey completion — All participants will complete surveys at various time-points (baseline - 9 weeks).

Primary outcomes

Enrollment rates (Recruitment period (approximately 18 months))
Attendance at scheduled VR sessions (4 weeks of VR)
Adherence to VR (4 weeks of VR)
Percentage of participants that complete the entire study duration -VR (4 weeks of VR)
Number of participants with documentation of informed consent completion (Recruitment period (Approximately 18 months))
The Virtual Reality Neuroscience Questionnaire (VRNQ) (4 weeks of VR)
Changes in depression measured by Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) (Baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks)
Changes in anxiety measured by the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7) (Baseline, 4 weeks, 8 weeks)

Eligibility information

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). * Significant cognitive impairments that prevent provision of informed consent * Suicidal ideation or plan after consultation with treating clinician * Participants who require vision correction with glasses, unless vision correction is mild (±1), or the participant does not have prescription contact lenses.

Study locations

University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109 United States

Before you participate: Varda Clinical is an independent discovery tool, not the study sponsor or a medical provider. Eligibility can only be determined by the official study team. Discuss potential risks and benefits with a qualified healthcare professional.

Source: ClinicalTrials.gov. Record last refreshed by Varda Clinical: 2026-09-27.