Virtual Reality Cannabis Cue Exposure Assessment System

描述(由申请人提供)：这个拟议的项目旨在开发和测试人体实验室和基于临床的虚拟现实大麻线索暴露评估系统(VR-CCA)的可行性，以用于大麻滥用和依赖。传统的评估方法(线索暴露)包括将受试者带入严酷的实验室或临床环境，并使用照片、视频、工具或治疗师角色来引发和评估反应。虽然这会导致反应，但固有的生态有效性的缺乏可能会限制传统线索暴露在治疗计划中的推广。虚拟现实曝光(VRE)将计算机图形与感官输入设备相结合，包括：跟踪设备、可视头盔显示器(HMD)和旨在使参与者沉浸在计算机生成的虚拟环境中的定向音频。针对大麻的VR-CCA将在安全、保密和受控的实验室或办公室环境中，将VR的元素与特定的药物线索、环境、与毒品有关的社交互动、嗅觉线索(各种气味)和其他相关刺激结合在一起。VR-CCA将视频图像和对复杂线索的暴露相结合，可以扩展传统的评估方法(即线索暴露/反应性)，并具有传统方法无法比拟的优势。该项目将侧重于开发一种VR-CCA，将计算机生成的图像和描述吸食大麻的线索(例如大麻香烟、烟斗、燃烧的关节)和吸食大麻的社交互动(例如在社交背景下被提供大麻烟)的视频图像结合在一起。VR-CCA的可行性将在一项开放的临床试点试验中进行测试，对象是目前吸食大麻的人。20名吸食大麻的人将同时接触VR中性刺激和VR药物(大麻)刺激。生理唤醒和自我报告的渴望和情绪将在VR中性刺激和VR药物(大麻)刺激下进行比较。该项目的目的是为吸食大麻的人开发和试行VR-CCA。长期目标是开发和测试VR-CCA，并开发负担得起的交钥匙VR-CCA系统，这些系统将商业化地提供给药物滥用项目、个人治疗师、医院和药物成瘾研究人员，用于评估和治疗大麻和其他滥用药物。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This proposed project seeks to develop and test the feasibility of a human laboratory and clinically based virtual reality cannabis cue exposure assessment system (VR-CCA) for cannabis abuse and dependence. Traditional assessment methods (cue exposure) involve bringing persons into austere laboratory or clinical environments and using photos, video, paraphernalia or therapist role playing to elicit and assess reactions. While this results in reactions, the inherent lack of ecological validity may limit generalization of traditional cue exposure in treatment programs. Virtual reality exposure (VRE) combines computer graphics with sensory input devices including: tracking devices, visual head mounted displays (HMD), and directional audio designed to immerse a participant in a computer-generated virtual environment. VR-CCA for cannabis would combine the elements of VR with specific drug cues, environments, drug related social interactions, olfactory cues (various scents) and other associated stimuli in the safe, confidential and controlled lab or office setting. VR-CCA combining video images and exposure to complex cues can expand traditional assessment methods (i.e. cue-exposure/reactivity) approaches and offer distinct advantages over traditional approaches. This project will focus on the development of a VR-CCA combining both computer generated and video images depicting cannabis smoking cues (e.g. cannabis cigarettes, pipes, burning joints) and cannabis smoking social interactions (e.g. being offered a cannabis cigarette in a social context). The feasibility of VR-CCA will be tested in an open clinical pilot trial with current cannabis smokers. Twenty cannabis smokers will be exposed to both VR neutral stimuli and VR drug (cannabis) stimuli. Physiological arousal and self-reported craving and mood will be compared between the VR neutral and VR drug (cannabis) stimuli. The aim of this project is to develop and pilot test VR-CCA for cannabis smokers. The long-term goal is to develop and test the VR-CCA, and develop affordable turnkey, VR-CCA systems that will be commercially available to substance abuse programs, individual therapists, hospitals, and drug addiction researchers for assessment and treatment of cannabis and other drugs of abuse.