The Role of Personalization in Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy During the Treatment of Alcohol Use Disorder

• DOI: 10.1192/j.eurpsy.2024.403
• Publication Date: 2024-08-27T09:10:45Z
• Authors: V. J. J. A. Buwalda; B. Jansen; M. van Gisbergen; S. R. Rashnoodi
• Keywords: Alcohol use disorder

Introduction In Cue-Exposure-Therapy (CET), clients are exposed to triggers through objects, people and environments that arouse craving (Sinha et al. Neuropsychopharmacol. 2009;34 1198–1208). Virtual Reality Exposure therapy (VRET) is used experience these in a realistic, safe, personalized way. VR has been successfully the treatment of psychiatric disorders. It not yet developed sufficiently tested as an adjuvant clinical post-detoxification phase alcohol use disorders (AUD) (e.g. Bordnick Addict.Behav 2008;33 743-756; Hone-Blanchet Front.Hum.Neurosci. 2014; 8(844) 1-15). Additionally, methods have for effect, but effectiveness around different technologies (Ghita & Gutierrez-Maldonado. 2018; 81 1-11; ). This study focuses on VRET-Recovry examine what extent worlds could be effective manner help treat AUD well clarifying ways which optimized achieve its goal. Objectives The primary objectives this assess necessity personalization treatment, identify critical elements personalization, their impact patients. Methods included 10 patients diagnosed according DSM-V criteria, aged between 18 65, who were final week detoxification at large addiction clinic Netherlands. A controlled experiment was conducted using Recovry 1.0 system Samsung Gear Galaxy S9. involved exposure various scenes (CG 360o), including neutral setting, bar scene, home situation, with duration sequence by therapist. Data collection consisted pre- post-exposure questionnaires, heart rate blood pressure measurements, interviews. Results Craving remarkably low primarily due unsociable context, limited visibility, absence peer pressure. Technical limitations, such suboptimal resolution, also affected feeling presence. Positive results shown predominantly stimulated apartment driven presence alcohol-related visual cues social elements, resembling relaxed drinking others. Conclusions underscores some degree needed all dimensions clear preference given CG or 360°. dependent personal history associations they represent levels visibility (messy clean), types drink (based past behavior), emotional contexts (positive negative). Disclosure Interest None Declared