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

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 pro-gram. Virtual reality skills training (VRST) combined with nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) was compared to NRT alone. Partici-pants 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 treat-ment. Self-confidence and coping skills were also significantly higher for the VRST group, and number of cigarettes smoked was signif-icantly lower, compared to the control group at follow-up. Conclusions: Feasibility of VRST was supported in the current study