VR-assisted CBT for Adolescents With Psychosis

Psychotic disorders typically emerge during late adolescence or early adulthood. Patients, who are diagnosed with a psychotic disorder before turning 18 years, are defined as early onset psychosis patients (EOP). Relative to adult patients, these patients show a worse long-term prognoses. Social impairment present a major barrier towards recovery, and thus and important issue to address in treatment. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is the recommended psychological treatment for psychotic disorders. As part of the therapy, the patient does an exposure-based training in a social environment. This type of training has several limitations for patients with psychosis. The last decade there has been a growing interest in using virtual reality (VR) to understand and treat various psychological disorders. There is a lack of research on VR-interventions for EOP patients. This study will assess the acceptability, tolerability, feasibility and clinical efficacy of a novel VR-assisted CBT interventions for adolescents with psychosis.

This study adhere to the model for research made by the international Virtual Reality Clinical Outcomes Research Experts groups (VR-CORE). The study consist of three sub-studies. First a qualitative study assessing the acceptability for VR among adolescence with psychosis. Secondly, a randomized study of the feasibility of virtual reality environment for adolescents with psychosis. Third, assessing the clinical efficacy of a novel VR-assisted CBT interventions for adolescents with psychosis, through a non-randomized single-case study.

Psychosis, Adolescents, Virtual Reality treatment, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Early onset psychosis, VR-assisted therapy

Inclusion Criteria: Suffering from a psychotic disorder (ICD-10 WHO) In stable clinical condition (i.e. not hospitalized) Being able to speak Norwegian or a Scandinavian language, or English Able to provide informed consent. Exclusion Criteria: Primary neurological or endocrinological disorder Started a "transfer-process" to Department of Adult Psychiatry.