Acute anxiolytic effects of quetiapine during virtual reality exposure--a double-blind placebo-controlled trial in patients with specific phobia

Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy for Treating Fear of Contamination Disorders: A Systematic Review of Healthy and Clinical Populations

Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET), particularly immersive Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (iVRET), has gained attraction as an innovative approach in exposure therapy (ET), notably for some anxiety disorders with a fear of contamination component, such as spider phobia (SP) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). This systematic work investigates iVRET's effectiveness in modulating disgust emotion-a shared aberrant feature across these disorders. Recent reviews have evaluated VRET's efficacy against in vivo ET. However, emerging evidence also highlights iVRET's potential in diminishing atypical disgust and related avoidance behaviors, expanding beyond traditional fear-focused outcomes. Our systematic synthesis, adhering to PRISMA guidelines, aims to fill this gap by assessing iVRET's efficacy in regulating disgust emotion within both clinical and at-risk populations, identified through standardized questionnaires and subjective disgust ratings. This research analyzes data from eight studies on clinical populations and five on healthy populations, offering an insight into iVRET's potential to mitigate the aberrant disgust response, a common transdiagnostic feature in varied psychopathologies. The findings support iVRET's clinical relevance in disgust management, providing evidence for a broader therapeutic application of iVRET and pointing out the need for more focused and complete investigations in this emergent field.

Virtual reality interventions for the treatment of anxiety disorders: A scoping review

BACKGROUND

& Objectives: Virtual Reality (VR) refers to an artificial, immersive three-dimensional environment with interactive sensory stimuli. VR is typically incorporated into the psychotherapeutic process as a means of providing exposure therapy. The objectives of this scoping review were to synthesize the most up-to-date evidence on the outcomes, acceptability, and side effects of VR interventions for treating anxiety disorders in adults.

METHODS

This scoping review is grounded in the methodological framework of Arksey and O'Malley (2005). The databases searched were PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and ProQuest Dissertations and Theses.

RESULTS

The search process identified 112 unique citations. 52 (46%) of the eligible articles examined participants with specific phobias, 25 (22%) with PTSD, 21 (19%) with social anxiety disorder, 12 (10%) with panic disorder with or without agoraphobia, and 3 (3%) with generalized anxiety disorder. VR interventions often led to statistically significant and meaningful reductions in symptoms for people with anxiety disorders. Additionally, they were acceptable to clients and associated with minimal side effects for all types of anxiety disorders, except for Combat-Related PTSD in Vietnam veterans.

LIMITATIONS

Limitations included the fact that the studies in this review were of varying quality, and that articles in languages other than English and French were excluded.

CONCLUSION

VR interventions appeared to be a viable alternative to conventional exposure therapy. Future research should include more male participants and have a stronger emphasis on acceptability and side effects. Increased traction for VR interventions for generalized anxiety disorder and panic disorder is also important.

Virtual reality in the diagnostic and therapy for mental disorders: A systematic review

BACKGROUND

Virtual reality (VR) technologies are playing an increasingly important role in the diagnostics and treatment of mental disorders.

OBJECTIVE

To systematically review the current evidence regarding the use of VR in the diagnostics and treatment of mental disorders.

DATA SOURCE

Systematic literature searches via PubMed (last literature update: 9^th of May 2022) were conducted for the following areas of psychopathology: Specific phobias, panic disorder and agoraphobia, social anxiety disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), obsessive-compulsive disorder, eating disorders, dementia disorders, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, depression, autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia spectrum disorders, and addiction disorders.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

To be eligible, studies had to be published in English, to be peer-reviewed, to report original research data, to be VR-related, and to deal with one of the above-mentioned areas of psychopathology.

STUDY EVALUATION

For each study included, various study characteristics (including interventions and conditions, comparators, major outcomes and study designs) were retrieved and a risk of bias score was calculated based on predefined study quality criteria.

RESULTS

Across all areas of psychopathology, k = 9315 studies were inspected, of which k = 721 studies met the eligibility criteria. From these studies, 43.97% were considered assessment-related, 55.48% therapy-related, and 0.55% were mixed. The highest research activity was found for VR exposure therapy in anxiety disorders, PTSD and addiction disorders, where the most convincing evidence was found, as well as for cognitive trainings in dementia and social skill trainings in autism spectrum disorder.

CONCLUSION

While VR exposure therapy will likely find its way successively into regular patient care, there are also many other promising approaches, but most are not yet mature enough for clinical application.

REVIEW REGISTRATION

PROSPERO register CRD42020188436.

FUNDING

The review was funded by budgets from the University of Bonn. No third party funding was involved.

Skin conductance while facing emotional pictures at day 7 helps predicting antidepressant response at three months in patients with a major depressive episode

There are currently no reliable biological markers to identify antidepressant responders in patients suffering from major depressive disorder. In this longitudinal pilot study, we measured skin conductance response (SCR) to assess patients' emotional reactivity after antidepressant treatment initiation. Fifty-four adult patients with a major depressive episode were recruited and followed up for 3 months. After one day of antidepressant treatment (D1) and then at day 7 (D7), emotional stimuli were presented on a computer screen while SCR and subjective emotional response were recorded. Three months later, we used Montgomery and Åsberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) to screen patients for treatment response, and distinguished responders (N = 28) from non-responders (N = 15). While SCR at D1 did not differ between responders and non-responders, SCR at D7 was higher in responders for both positive, negative and neutral stimuli. Skin conductance rates at D7 had a relatively poor negative predictive value (38%) but a strong positive predictive value (95%). Further studies are needed to replicate in a larger sample, and validate, these preliminary results which suggest that electrodermal activity after treatment initiation could help predict antidepressant efficacy.

Being There: Exploring Virtual Symphonic Experience as a Salutogenic Design Intervention for Older Adults

This co-design study examined salutogenic potential of mobile virtual reality (VR) experiences as an alternative to participation in a community-based symphonic engagement program (B Sharp), previously found to benefit people with dementia (PWD) and their informal caregivers. Six focus groups were conducted with sixteen adults aged 76–90; three participants had dementia, and two were informal spousal caregivers. No participants had prior VR experience. The study assessed the feasibility of replicating the community-based-arts program in VR, with the goal of enhancing its salutogenic qualities (e.g., positive distraction, engagement, and social connection). Video-recordings of participants while using a mobile head-mounted display (HMD) were analyzed using qualitative thematic analysis to compare perceptions of different virtual experiences, including replication or enhancement of B Sharp and a campus tour. Findings suggest participants had positive perceptions of enhanced VR experiences with no adverse effects, although PWD were less enthusiastic and HMD usability was complicated by eyewear use and comfort with technology. Participants reacted most favorably to the enhanced symphonic experience, where they were “virtually” onstage during the performance, suggesting unique experiences beyond what is possible in the real world have the greatest potential for deep immersion for older adults. Results suggest VR has strong potential to replicate and enhance salutogenic qualities of community-based programming by enabling greater access to experiences for older adults and by increasing enjoyment and engagement through experiences not otherwise feasible. Furthermore, this study illuminates advantages of a user-centered, co-design approach when developing VR experiences with community partners and older adults.

Clinical predictors of cybersickness in virtual reality (VR) among highly stressed people

The use of virtual reality (VR) in the treatment of psychiatric disorders is increasing, and cybersickness has emerged as an important obstacle to overcome. However, the clinical factors affecting cybersickness are still not well understood. In this study, we investigated clinical predictors and adaptation effect of cybersickness during VR application in highly stressed people. Eighty-three healthy adult participants with high stress level were recruited. At baseline, we conducted psychiatric, ophthalmologic, and otologic evaluations and extracted physiological parameters. We divided the participants into two groups according to the order of exposure to VR videos with different degrees of shaking and repetitively administered the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ) and the Fast Motion sickness Scale (FMS). There was no significant difference in changes in the SSQ or the FMS between groups. The 40–59 years age group showed a greater increase in FMS compared to the 19–39 years age group. Smoking was negatively associated with cybersickness, and a high Positive Affect and Negative Affect Schedule score was positively associated with cybersickness. In conclusion, changing the intensity of shaking in VR did not affect cybersickness. While smoking was a protective factor, more expression of affect was a risk factor for cybersickness.

Effect of Virtual Reality on Stress Reduction and Change of Physiological Parameters Including Heart Rate Variability in People With High Stress: An Open Randomized Crossover Trial

Introduction: Although, attempts to apply virtual reality (VR) in mental healthcare are rapidly increasing, it is still unclear whether VR relaxation can reduce stress more than conventional biofeedback. Methods: Participants consisted of 83 healthy adult volunteers with high stress, which was defined as a score of 20 or more on the Perceived Stress Scale-10 (PSS-10). This study used an open, randomized, crossover design with baseline, stress, and relaxation phases. During the stress phase, participants experienced an intentionally generated shaking VR and serial-7 subtraction. For the relaxation phase, participants underwent a randomly assigned relaxation session on day 1 among VR relaxation and biofeedack, and the other type of relaxation session was applied on day 2. We compared the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-X1 (STAI-X1), STAI-X2, the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS), and physiological parameters including heart rate variability (HRV) indexes in the stress and relaxation phases. Results: A total of 74 participants were included in the analyses. The median age of participants was 39 years, STAI-X1 was 47.27 (SD = 9.92), and NRS was 55.51 (SD = 24.48) at baseline. VR and biofeedback significantly decreased STAI-X1 and NRS from the stress phase to the relaxation phase, while the difference of effect between VR and biofeedback was not significant. However, there was a significant difference in electromyography, LF/HF ratio, LF total, and NN50 between VR relaxation and biofeedback. Conclusion: VR relaxation was effective in reducing subjectively reported stress in individuals with high stress.

It feels real: physiological responses to a stressful virtual reality environment and its impact on working memory

BACKGROUND

Virtual reality (VR) is increasingly used to study and treat psychiatric disorders. Its fidelity depends in part on the extent to which the VR environment provides a convincing simulation, for example whether a putatively stressful VR situation actually produces a stress response.

METHODS

We studied the stress response in 28 healthy men exposed either to a stressor VR elevator (which simulated travelling up the outside of a tall building and culminated in the participant being asked to step off the elevator platform), or to a control elevator. We measured psychological and physiological (salivary cortisol and alpha-amylase, blood pressure, pulse, skin conductance) stress indices. We also measured subsequent performance on the N-back task because acute stress has been reported to impact on working memory.

RESULTS

Compared to participants in the control elevator, those in the external elevator had increases in skin conductance, pulse and subjective stress and anxiety ratings, altered heart rate variability, and a delayed rise in cortisol. N-back performance was unaffected.

CONCLUSIONS

A putatively stressful VR elevator produces a physiological as well as a psychological stress response, supporting its use in the investigation and treatment of stress-related disorders, and its potential value as an experimental laboratory stressor.

A Literature Overview of Virtual Reality (VR) in Treatment of Psychiatric Disorders: Recent Advances and Limitations

In this paper, we conduct a literature survey on various virtual reality (VR) treatments in psychiatry. We collected 36 studies that used VR to provide clinical trials or therapies for patients with psychiatric disorders. In order to gain a better understanding of the management of pain and stress, we first investigate VR applications for patients to alleviate pain and stress during immersive activities in a virtual environment. VR exposure therapies are particularly effective for anxiety, provoking realistic reactions to feared stimuli. On top of that, exposure therapies with simulated images are beneficial for patients with psychiatric disorders such as phobia and posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Moreover, VR environments have shown the possibility of changing depression, cognition, even social functions. We review empirical evidence from VR-based treatments on psychiatric illnesses such as dementia, mild cognitive impairment (MCI), schizophrenia and autism. Through cognitive training and social skill training, rehabilitation through VR therapies helps patients to improve their quality of life. Recent advances in VR technology also demonstrate potential abilities to address cognitive and functional impairments in dementia. In terms of the different types of VR systems, we discuss the feasibility of the technology within different stages of dementia as well as the methodological limitations. Although there is room for improvement, its widespread adoption in psychiatry is yet to occur due to technical drawbacks such as motion sickness and dry eyes, as well as user issues such as preoccupation and addiction. However, it is worth mentioning that VR systems relatively easily deliver virtual environments with well-controlled sensory stimuli. In the future, VR systems may become an innovative clinical tool for patients with specific psychiatric symptoms.

The Place of Antipsychotics in the Therapy of Anxiety Disorders and Obsessive-Compulsive Disorders

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

The purpose of this review was to assess and present the findings up to this date on the efficacy of antipsychotics in the treatment of generalized anxiety disorders (GAD), social anxiety disorders (SAD), panic disorders (PD), and obsessive-compulsive disorders (OCD), mostly based on published randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or on open-label studies when RCT were lacking.

RECENT FINDINGS

Quetiapine could be recommended in patients with GAD. The efficacy of aripiprazole in two open-label studies on patients with antidepressant-refractory GAD should be assessed in RCTs. Despite preliminary positive results in open studies, there are currently no strong evidence for the effectiveness of antipsychotics in refractory SAD and in refractory PD. Conversely, risperidone and aripiprazole can be used for the treatment of refractory OCD as augmentation agents to antidepressants. Contrary to SAD and PD, this review found evidence for the use of second-generation antipsychotics in GAD and OCD. Otherwise, first-generation antipsychotics cannot be recommended in anxiety disorders and OCD.

Influence of single-dose quetiapine on fear network activity - A pharmaco-imaging study

OBJECTIVE

Anxiety disorders are among the most frequent psychiatric disorders. Current treatment guidelines recommend antidepressants, the calcium modulator gabapentin, and benzodiazepines as pharmacological treatments. However, delayed onset of action precludes the use of antidepressants as an acute treatment, while benzodiazepines can be recommended only as an emergency treatment due to their inherent risk of dependence. Therefore, an alternative pharmacological agent with acute efficacy is needed. Preliminary evidence points towards possible anxiolytic properties of the atypical antipsychotic quetiapine. The goals of this study were to test the acute anxiolytic properties of quetiapine in patients suffering from arachnophobia in a challenge paradigm, and to assess the effects of quetiapine on the central nervous fear network.

METHODS

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled proof-of-concept study, n=58 arachnophobic patients underwent an fMRI scan while looking at phobia-related and neutral stimuli. Subjective anxiety was evaluated retrospectively in questionnaires.

RESULTS

The functional imaging data revealed that patients showed stronger amygdala activation to phobia-related than to neutral stimuli. However, no effect of quetiapine on fear network activity was detected. Further, on questionnaire measures, quetiapine significantly reduced somatic anxiety symptoms, but had no effect on general psychological anxiety.

CONCLUSION

Viewing phobic pictures resulted in a robust amygdala activation in arachnophobic patients. Quetiapine seems to have no influence on activation in anxiety-related brain areas but appears to reduce acute somatic anxiety symptoms in patients with specific phobia. The central nervous correlates of the anxiolytic effects of quetiapine remain to be clarified in future studies.

Role and clinical implications of atypical antipsychotics in anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, trauma-related, and somatic symptom disorders: a systematized review

Atypical antipsychotics (AAs) may play a role in the treatment of anxiety disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), and trauma-related disorders. No reviews on their differential use in these different disorders have been performed recently. The aim of this systematized review was to obtain data on efficacy and comparative effectiveness of AAs as a treatment of anxiety disorders, OCD, and trauma-related disorders to provide guidance for clinicians on when and which AA to use. We searched on PubMed, Psychnet, and Cochrane Libraries from inception to July 2015. Search results were limited to randomized, placebo-controlled trials of adult patients. Evidence of efficacy was considered the presence of positive results in two or more double-blind placebo-controlled studies. Our systematized search identified 1298 papers, of which 191 were subjected to a full-text review and 56 were included. Quetiapine extended-release showed a role in both acute and maintenance treatment of uncomplicated generalized anxiety disorder, whereas more studies are needed before drawing practical recommendations on the use of olanzapine and risperidone; aripiprazole and risperidone are effective in resistant OCD as augmentation treatments. Risperidone and olanzapine add-on may have a role in resistant or chronic post-traumatic stress disorder patients, although only risperidone addition can be recommended on the basis of the criterion of two or more positive placebo-controlled trials. This systematized review supports the evidence that only a few AAs are effective in only a minority of the off-label conditions in which they are currently used and confirms that AAs are not all the same. Their use should be on the basis of a balance between efficacy and side effects, and the characteristics as well as the preference of the patient.