%0 Journal Article
%@ 2368-7959
%I JMIR Publications
%V 7
%N 11
%P e24331
%T Virtual Reality Behavioral Activation as an Intervention for Major Depressive Disorder: Case Report
%A Paul,Margot
%A Bullock,Kim
%A Bailenson,Jeremy
%+ PGSP-Stanford PsyD Consortium, 1791 Arastradero Rd, Palo Alto, CA, 94304, United States, 1 781 572 4136, mdpaul@stanford.edu
%K virtual reality
%K case report
%K major depressive disorder
%K behavioral activation
%K VR
%K depression
%K COVID-19
%K behavior
%K intervention
%K feasibility
%K acceptability
%K telehealth
%K pilot study
%D 2020
%7 3.11.2020
%9 Original Paper
%J JMIR Ment Health
%G English
%X Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is a global problem with an increasing incidence and prevalence. There has additionally been an increase in depression due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Behavioral activation is considered an evidence-based treatment for MDD. However, there are many barriers that could hinder one’s ability to engage in behavioral activation, with COVID-19 “shelter-in-place” and social distancing orders being current and large impediments. Virtual reality (VR) has been successfully used to help treat a variety of mental health conditions, but it has not yet been used as a method of administering behavioral activation to a clinical population. Using VR to engage in behavioral activation could eliminate barriers that pandemic precautions place and help decrease symptoms of depression that are especially exacerbated in these times. Objective: The following case report examines the feasibility, acceptability, and tolerability of VR behavioral activation for an adult with MDD during a global pandemic. This participant was part of a larger pilot study, and the case serves as a description of the VR intervention. Methods: The participant engaged in a weekly 50-minute psychotherapy Zoom session for 4 weeks, in which a modified behavioral activation protocol was administered using a VR headset to simulate activities. Data on mood ratings, homework compliance, and headset use were obtained from the headset. Acceptability, tolerability, and depression symptoms were obtained using self-report rating scales. Results: The intervention was feasible, acceptable, and tolerable, as reported by this participant. The participant’s depressive symptoms decreased by five-points on the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 over a month, with a beginning score of 10 (moderate depression) and a final score of 5 (mild depression). Conclusions: The implications of these findings for future research are discussed. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT04268316; http://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04268316 
%M 33031046
%R 10.2196/24331
%U https://mental.jmir.org/2020/11/e24331
%U https://doi.org/10.2196/24331
%U http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33031046