Avatar Intervention in Virtual Reality for Cannabis Use Disorder in Individuals With Severe Mental Disorders: Results From a 1-Year, Single-Arm Clinical Trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The dual diagnosis of cannabis use disorder (CUD) and severe mental disorder (SMD) results in clinically complex individuals. Cannabis use is known to have negative consequences on psychiatric symptoms, medication compliance, and disease prognosis. Moreover, the effectiveness of currently available psychotherapeutic treatments is limited in this population. In this context, our research team developed avatar intervention, an approach using virtual reality as a therapeutic tool to treat CUD in individuals with SMD.

Objective

This pilot clinical trial aimed to evaluate, until the 1-year follow-up, the efficacy of avatar intervention for CUD among 32 participants with a dual diagnosis of SMD and CUD.

Methods

Over the course of the 8 intervention sessions, part

SUBMITTER: Giguere S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11612600 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature