Integrating Virtual Reality, Neurofeedback, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Auditory Verbal Hallucinations (Hybrid): Protocol of a Pilot, Unblinded, Single-Arm Interventional Study

作者：Jessica Spark, Elise Rowe, Mario Álvarez‐Jiménez, Imogen Bell, Linda K. Byrne, Ilvana Dzafic, Carli Ellinghaus, Suzie Lavoie, Jarrad A. G. Lum, Brooke McLean, Neil Thomas, Andrew Thompson, Greg Wadley, Thomas J. Whitford, Stephen J. Wood, Hok Pan Yuen, Barnaby Nelson · 发表于：JMIR Research Protocols · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.2196/63405 · 被引用次数：6 · 研究领域：Virtual Reality Applications and Impacts、Traumatic Brain Injury Research、Schizophrenia research and treatment

BACKGROUND: Current treatments for schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders have limited efficacy, with high rates of nonresponse to "gold standard" treatments. New approaches are therefore urgently required. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this pilot study are to investigate the feasibility, acceptability, safety, and usability of Hybrid treatment (primary aim); and to explore Hybrid's treatment efficacy and engagement of treatment targets (secondary aim). The primary aim will be assessed via face-to-face user experience surveys on a (self-assessed) 5-point Likert scale (and qualitative open-ended questions) examining: (1) acceptability, (2) helpfulness, (3) engagement, and (4) perceived safety. We will also examine consent and completion rates, and the number of sessions attended. Our threshold for moving on to efficacy trials will be at least 70% of our participants to rate 3 and above (which corresponds to agree or strongly agree) that the intervention package was acceptable, feasible, and safe. The secondary aims will be assessed by observing whether individuals achieve self-directed modulation of high-β neurophysiological activity (neural target) and progression upwards through the VR-based exposure hierarchy (psychological target), and by assessing symptom change scores. This study developed a new treatment approach for auditory verbal hallucinations, a major symptom of psychotic disorders, that integrates advances in psychological therapy (cognitive behavioral therapy for p...