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. 2012 May;22(3):293-300.
doi: 10.1177/1049731511426880.

A Feasibility Study of Virtual Reality-Based Coping Skills Training for Nicotine Dependence

Patrick S Bordnick  1 , Amy C Traylor  2 , Brian L Carter  1 , Ken M Graap  3
Affiliations

A Feasibility Study of Virtual Reality-Based Coping Skills Training for Nicotine Dependence

Patrick S Bordnick et al. Res Soc Work Pract. 2012 May.

Abstract

Objective: Virtual reality (VR)-based cue reactivity has been successfully used for the assessment of drug craving. Going beyond assessment of cue reactivity, a novel VR-based treatment approach for smoking cessation was developed and tested for feasibility.

Method: In a randomized experiment, 10-week treatment feasibility trial, 46 nicotine-dependent adults, completed the10-week program. Virtual reality skills training (VRST) combined with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) was compared to NRT alone. Participants were assessed for smoking behavior and coping skills during, at end of treatment, and at posttreatment follow-up.

Results: Smoking rates and craving for nicotine were significantly lower for the VRST group compared to NRT-only group at the end of treatment. Self-confidence and coping skills were also significantly higher for the VRST group, and number of cigarettes smoked was significantly lower, compared to the control group at follow-up.

Conclusions: Feasibility of VRST was supported in the current study.

Keywords: addictions; behavior therapy; cognitive–behavioral; coping skills; craving; individual intervention; nicotine dependence; quantitative; randomized experiment; virtual reality.

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Conflict of interest statement

Dr. Bordnick, Dr. Traylor, and Dr. Carter do not have conflicts of interest or financial interests in Virtually Better, Inc. Mr. Graap is employed by CNS Response and he states no conflict of interest in this research.

Declaration of interests

The authors declared no potential conflicts of interest with respect to the research, authorship, and/or publication of this article.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Screen shots of virtual reality (VR) scenarios.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Virtual reality clinical equipment setup.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Smoking Confidence Questionnaire (SCQ) scores between groups at long-term follow-up.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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