Examining the Efficacy of a Virtual Reality Cognitive Remediation Program for People Living With Psychosis

What this study is about

Individuals living with a psychotic disorder often experience changes to their thinking and social skills that can lead to challenges with work, school, relationships and living independently. One intervention to target these areas is cognitive remediation therapy, which can be delivered in virtual reality to help apply the skills and strategies learned to day-to-day life. Over the past few years, our team has co-developed a cognitive remediation program in virtual reality with healthcare professionals and people with lived experiences of psychosis. The current trial tests the feasibility and efficacy of this cognitive remediation program in virtual reality at improving thinking skills, social skills, and daily life functioning.

Who can join (things the study team will check)

✅ You may be able to join if…

• Diagnosis of a psychosis-spectrum disorder
• Equal or between 18 to 60 years old
• Ability to read and speak English
• Be clinically stable, as defined as a total Positive And Negative Severity Symptoms score equal or between 30 - 95
• No changes to their medication dosage, starting a new medication, or stopping a medication within the past month before signing the consent form

🚫 You may not be able to join if…

• Neurological or medical disorders that may produce cognitive impairment (including head injury with more than 1 minute of loss of consciousness)
• Intellectual disability or a score equal or below 70 on the Wechsler Abbreviated Scale of Intelligence.
• Any vision conditions that cannot be corrected with contact lenses or glasses that can fit in the virtual reality googles.
• Past history of seizures, fit, and epilepsy
• Any severe medical condition related to the eyes, ears, and balance
• History of substance use disorder within the last 3 months

Where this trial is running

• Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Who to contact

Synthia Guimond, PhD · 613-722-6521 · synthia.guimond@theroyal.ca

It's completely normal to call and ask questions before deciding anything. Mention the study ID: NCT05973110.