TY  - JOUR
AU  - Paul, Margot
AU  - Bullock, Kim
AU  - Bailenson, Jeremy
PY  - 2020
DA  - 2020/11/3
TI  - Virtual Reality Behavioral Activation as an Intervention for Major Depressive Disorder: Case Report
JO  - JMIR Ment Health
SP  - e24331
VL  - 7
IS  - 11
KW  - virtual reality
KW  - case report
KW  - major depressive disorder
KW  - behavioral activation
KW  - VR
KW  - depression
KW  - COVID-19
KW  - behavior
KW  - intervention
KW  - feasibility
KW  - acceptability
KW  - telehealth
KW  - pilot study
AB  - 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 
SN  - 2368-7959
UR  - https://mental.jmir.org/2020/11/e24331
UR  - https://doi.org/10.2196/24331
UR  - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/33031046
DO  - 10.2196/24331
ID  - info:doi/10.2196/24331
ER  -