Training Reward Responsiveness Through Virtual Reality

Anhedonia, or loss of interest and pleasure in usual activities, has been relatively resistant to pharmacological and psychological treatments in the context of anxiety and depression. Newer treatments that focus upon positivity or reward sensitivity have shown promising results. The purpose of the current randomized controlled trial is to compare the effects of Virtual Reality-Reward Training (VR-RT) with an active control condition, Virtual Reality-Memory Training (VR-MT), on positive affect and other clinical symptoms. VR-RT is designed to augment reward sensitivity in individuals with elevated depression and low positive affect. Targets include reward anticipation and initial response to reward. Specificity of target engagement is assessed by comparison with VR-MT designed to train memory. Targets and clinical outcomes are assessed at Week 0 Assessment (Week 0), mid-treatment (Week 3), post-treatment (1 week after Session 8, Week 5), and follow-up (Week 9). Statistical models evaluate whether change in outcomes and change in target measures are greater as a result of VR-RT compared to VR-MT. Target enrollment is 80 participants with low positive affect, depression, and impaired functioning, who are at least 18 years old, who will be randomized to VR-RT or VR-MT, each comprising 8 individual virtual reality training sessions over the course of 4 weeks. Participants will complete laboratory tests and self-report questionnaires as part of the study. Total length of participation is around 3 months.