VR-enhanced CET development and laboratory testing
Research type
Research Study
Full title
VR-enhanced CET development and laboratory testing
IRAS ID
357025
Contact name
Paolo Deluca
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
This study aims to develop immersive Virtual Reality (VR) environments to deliver Cue Exposure Therapy (CET), assess their acceptability and realism, and measure physiological and subjective responses to the VR cues. This research
is funded by the National Institute of Health and Research (NIHR) i4i Addiction Mission. This study will last for one year and is the second study part of a three-year funded project.A sample of 32 participants meeting the criteria will be enrolled (inclusion criteria: Primary SUD for cocaine; able and willing to provide informed consent). Participants will be asked to attend two sessions, one week apart, and experience a cocaine VR scenario and a neutral non-drug related scenario in each session. Participants will also complete baseline data (session 1) and post-VR questionnaires and a semi-structured interview (session 2) to investigate how they felt about these scenarios. Throughout these sessions, participants will wear an Empatica Embrace Plus device to measure their physiological data. This study will be conducted at the KCH CRF site, University of Hull, and participating drug services.
The VR contexts and scenarios were developed through an iterative and collaborative process involving Patient and Public Involvement (PPI), a systematic review of the literature, an online questionnaire with cocaine users, and expert input. These scenarios were designed to elicit craving responses by simulating high-risk social interactions and cues with virtual characters and virtual drug paraphernalia. The VR application is being developed using the Unity 3D game engine (the industry standard software for many medical simulations as well as interactive entertainment). Cocaine cues were designed to reflect real-world drug-related triggers. Two cocaine cues will be shown in each cocaine VR scenario. Specifically, participants will purchase and then consume cocaine in one scenario, while in another, they will observe a conversation, and then observe others use cocaine. The scenarios will be tailored to the participant’s specific mode of administration: powder cocaine (snorting) or smoking crack cocaine.
The results from this study are important for the subsequent study (Study 3) within this project grant. This is relevant and important as, ultimately, the results from this project grant may provide insight into a new treatment for cocaine dependence, which currently has limited treatment options. This is needed due to the current limited options available for cocaine users accessing treatment.
REC name
East of Scotland Research Ethics Service REC 2
REC reference
25/ES/0061
Date of REC Opinion
4 Sep 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion