Virtual reality-based rehabilitation has recently gained increasing attention in the field of cognitive rehabilitation, allowing patients to engage in simulated real-life scenarios within a safe and controlled setting. The feasibility and safety of immersive VR-based cognitive rehabilitation in individuals with schizophrenia is currently insufficiently explored. This study seeks to evaluate whether immersive immersive virtual reality-based rehabilitation can be safely and practically implemented in a community psychiatric setting. The study also aims to explore preliminary effects on negative symptoms, cognitive performance, and global functioning compared with treatment as usual in a waiting-list control group.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Enrollment
40
The Oculus Quest 3 Virtual Reality Headset, two joysticks, and the CEREBRUM - Virtual Cognitive Rehabilitation add-on tool are employed for the immersive virtual reality cognitive rehabilitation. The headset allows for an IVR 360° experience with spatial tracking and ability to free-roam in the virtual reality space. The aforementioned tool simulates real-life everyday scenarios, engaging different domains including memory and learning, cognitive estimates, metacognition and social interaction, attention and working memory, and planning. The Cerebrum protocol also allows for a personalized and adaptive difficulty based on each individual's abilities. Each session consists in a welcoming and 4-5 exercises from different domains. Each session is supervised by a Psychiatric Rehabilitation Professional.
Participants will to not receive the IVR-based rehabilitation, but rather will be offered after the study ends. They will continue with their therapy as usual.
Azienda Sanitaria Locale Napoli 3 Sud Unità Operativa Complessa Salute Mentale Torre del Greco/Ercolano
Torre del Greco, Naples, Italy
Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS)
Total score, positive and negative symptoms, general psychopathology
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 12 weeks
Digital Symbol Substitution Test (DSST)
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 12 weeks
Animal Naming Test (ANT)
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 12 weeks
Trial Making Test - A (TMT)
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 12 weeks
Simple Reaction Time (SRT)
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 12 weeks
Choice Reaction Time (CRT)
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 12 weeks
Global Assessment of Functioning (GAF)
Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 12 weeks
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