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.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 60 Years
Sex
ALL
See this in plain English?
AI-rewrites the medical criteria so a patient or caregiver can understand them. Always confirm with the trial site.
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
Questions worth asking your doctor
Bring these to your next appointment. They're a starting point for a shared conversation — not a sign you qualify or a recommendation to enrol.
1Based on my diagnosis and history, is this trial worth exploring for me — or is there a standard treatment we should try first?
2What does this trial's phase tell us about how much is already known about its safety and benefit?
3What would taking part actually involve for me — visits, tests, time, and travel?
4What are the known and possible risks or side effects I should weigh, and how would they be monitored?
5If this trial isn't the right fit, what other options or trials would you suggest I look into?
Generated to help you prepare — always confirm anything about your own eligibility and care with the study team and your doctor.
Questions for the trial coordinator
The trial coordinator is the person who runs the study day to day. These cover the practical side — logistics, costs, and what taking part would actually mean for your life. The study team confirms whether you meet the criteria; these are questions to ask, not a sign you qualify.
1What does taking part actually involve week to week — how many visits, where, and how long does each one take?
2What costs are covered by the study, and what might I have to pay for myself, including travel, parking, or time off work?
3What happens during screening, and what happens if the study team confirms I don't meet the criteria after those tests?
4Who pays for the scans, blood work, and other tests the trial requires — the study, my insurance, or me?
5How will being in the trial affect my regular care, and will my own doctor stay informed and involved?
6Can I leave the trial at any point if I change my mind, and what would happen to my care if I do?
A starting point for the conversation — always confirm anything about your own eligibility, costs, and care with the study team and your doctor.
What they're measuring
1
Fagerstrom Test for Nicotine Dependence (FTND)
Timeframe: From enrollment to the end of treatment at 10 weeks.