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Completed

NCT Number: NCT07618338

Virtual Reality-Based Smoking Cessation Treatment in Patients With Schizophrenia

Schizophrenia is associated with high rates of cigarette smoking, which contributes to serious physical health problems and reduced life expectancy. Existing smoking cessation treatments have shown limited long-term success in this population. Virtual Reality-based interventions may provide a new approach for supporting smoking cessation.

This study evaluated the effects of a 10-week virtual reality-based smoking cessation program in patients with schizophrenia and healthy smokers. Participants were assigned to either a virtual reality intervention group or a no-intervention control group. Smoking behavior, nicotine dependence, clinical symptoms, cognitive functioning, and quality of life were assessed before and after the intervention period.

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Key information

Conditions

Schizophrenia Disorder Behavior Health Behavior Mental Disorders Schizophrenia Schizophrenia Spectrum and Other Psychotic Disorders Smoking Cessation

Age range

18 year–60 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Interventional

Phase

Not applicable

Primary location

Dokuz Eylul University Faculty of Medicine

Izmir, Balçova, 35330, Turkey (Türkiye)

About this study

Schizophrenia is associated with elevated rates of cigarette smoking compared with the general population. Smoking is considered one of the major contributors to reduced life expectancy and increased physical morbidity in individuals with schizophrenia. Previous pharmacological and behavioral smoking cessation interventions have demonstrated limited effectiveness in this population, with low long-term abstinence rates and frequent relapse.

Virtual Reality has recently emerged as a promising therapeutic tool in mental health research. Studies conducted in non-clinical populations suggest that virtual reality-based interventions may support smoking cessation by providing immersive and controlled environments related to smoking behavior and craving management. However, there is currently limited research examining the effectiveness of virtual reality-based smoking cessation interventions in schizophrenia.

The present study investigated the effects of a 10-week virtual reality-based smoking cessation intervention in patients with schizophrenia and healthy smokers. The study included four parallel groups: schizophrenia patients receiving virtual reality intervention, schizophrenia patients receiving no intervention, healthy controls receiving virtual reality intervention, and healthy controls receiving no intervention. Participants were evaluated before and after the intervention period using measures of nicotine dependence, cigarette consumption, clinical symptoms, neuropsychological performance, quality of life, and social condition.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

  • Being between 18 and 60 years of age
  • Being on a stable dose of the same antipsychotic medication for the previous 12 weeks
  • Being able to read and write in Turkish
  • Scoring at least 3 on the Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence

Exclusion criteria

  • Diagnosis of any severe physical or neurological disorder affecting clinical functioning
  • Presence of auditory or visual impairment
  • Alcohol or substance use disorder/dependence
  • Having Intellectual disability
  • Suicidal risk or harmful/aggressive behavior
  • Any pulmonary disease or severe respiratory condition
  • Having prior smoking cessation treatment or intervention history
  • Having received electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) within the past 6 months

Treatment and study plan

Schizophrenia VR Intervention Group

Behavioral

Participants received Virtual Reality-based smoking cessation treatment consisting of immersive virtual scenarios designed to reduce smoking behavior and support smoking cessation. The intervention was administered over 10 weeks through structured virtual reality sessions.

Healthy Control VR Intervention Group

Behavioral

Participants received Virtual Reality-based smoking cessation treatment consisting of immersive virtual scenarios designed to reduce smoking behavior and support smoking cessation. The intervention was administered over 10 weeks through structured virtual reality sessions.

Primary outcomes

  1. Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND)

    Time frame: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 10 weeks.

    The Fagerström Test for Nicotine Dependence, developed by Karl Fagerström in 1996 (Fagerström et al., 1996), was used to assess the level of nicotine dependence. The FTND is a self-report measure consisting of six items, with total scores ranging from 0 to 10; higher scores indicate greater nicotine dependence. In this study, the FTND was administered at baseline before the intervention and again at the post-treatment assessment conducted 10 weeks later.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Dokuz Eylul University

Other

Collaborators

  • The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey

Registry information

Important dates

Study start
2018
Primary completion
2020
Study completion
2020
First posted
Jun 1, 2026
Registry last updated
Jun 2, 2026

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.

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