A Randomized Controlled Trial of Investigating the Effectiveness of VR(Virtual Reality)-based Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (VR-CBT) for Adult Depression

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 20K12677
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Section: 一般
• Review Section: Basic Section 90130:Medical systems-related
• Research Institution: Tokyo Dental College
• Principal Investigator: So Mirai 東京歯科大学, 歯学部, 准教授 (00327636)
• Project Period (FY): 2020-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: 認知行動療法 / メタバース / VR / VR-CBT / うつ病 / グループ認知行動療法 / CBT / Metaverse

Outline of Final Research Achievements

CBT@Meta (Group cognitive behavioural therapy for depression at a Metaverse, virtual reality space), which has not been reported as far as we know, was additionally integrated into an internet-based CBT (iCBT) to enhance its antidepressant effect. After succeeding in demonstrating the efficacy as a preliminary single-arm study, we subsequently conducted a randomized controlled trial (RCT) to compare the effect of iCBT with CBT@Meta against the sham waiting group. Regarding the primary endpoint, BDI-2, and secondary endpoint, GAD-7, we showed significant antidepressant (p=0.0128) and anxiolytic (p=0.0420) effects at 3-month follow-up, respectively. Also, the WHO-HPQ, a measure of work performance, showed a marginally significant improvement (p=0.0864). In particular, our result suggests that self-help iCBT, which has been pointed out that the effect is likely to diminish over time, can be backed up by the additional CBT@Meta.

Free Research Field

エビデンス精神療法

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

メタバース（VR空間）という新規的ツールを活用したグループ認知行動療法は、諸外国でも例のないユニークな試みである。国難とも言うべきコロナ禍の最中に、苦しむ抑うつ者に対して有意な抗うつ＆抗不安効果が示され、特に介入後３か月を経過した追跡時点での
効果を認めたことは、既存の抗うつ治療アプリ（iCBT）への医療経済的な効果増強の可能性が示唆され、その意義は大きい。また今回メタバースならではの、ユニークな感想や反応がいくつも観察され、特に今後、現在の枠組みでは届かない潜在的メンタルヘルスユーザーへの革新的なアウトリーチとしての可能性も示唆された。本研究は探索的位置づけであり、さらなる検証が望まれる。