Cognitive and Metacognitive Evaluation in VR-Based Avatar Therapy for Psychosis

Recruiting now · Not applicable

Conditions studied: Schizophrenia Disorders, Treatment Resistant Hallucinations

In brief

This study aims to evaluate the relationship between cognitive, metacognitive and social cognition variables in patients with psychosis undergoing VR-based Avatar Therapy for the treatment of auditory hallucinations. In addition to the primary intervention, participants will be assessed using validated tools for emotion recognition, attributional style, theory of mind, neurocognition, and metacognition. The study also explores the potential role of trauma as a predisposing factor. Assessments will be conducted at four time points: screening (week 0), baseline (week 12), intervention period (weeks 12-24), and post-therapy follow-up (week 24). By investigating these variables, this study seeks to better understand their impact on treatment outcomes and contribute to the development of personalized therapeutic approaches.

Key facts

Study ID

NCT07091344

Run by

Fundació Sant Joan de Déu

People needed

30

Starts

2024-03-01

Expected to finish

2026-12-30

Last updated by the study team

2025-08-29

Who can join

Age: 18 and older. Sex: any. Healthy volunteers: not accepted.

You may qualify if…

• Adults aged 18 years or older.
• Diagnosis of schizophrenia spectrum disorder according to DSM-5 criteria.
• Experience of persistent auditory hallucinations for at least 3 months (PANSS hallucination score ≥ 3).
• Stable medication dosage for at least 4 weeks prior to recruitment.
• Fluent in the spoken language of the study site (Spanish).
• Able to provide informed consent.
• Regular psychiatric follow-up care.

You may not qualify if…

• Inability to identify a dominant voice for Avatar Therapy intervention.
• Intellectual disability based on medical history.
• Active substance abuse.
• Central nervous system injury or neurological disorders affecting cognitive performance.
• Severe visual impairment that precludes the use of VR technology.
• Aversion to virtual reality or prior experience of simulator sickness.
• Current suicidal ideation or risk.
• Lack of cooperation or inability to comply with study procedures.

Where it is running

• Fundació Sant Joan de Déu - Unitat de Recerca del Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de Déu — Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain (enrolling)

Full record on ClinicalTrials.gov

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