Effects of Olfactory Stimuli in Virtual Reality Cue Exposure on Craving and Attentional Bias in A… (NCT07667790) | Clinical Trial Compass
Not Yet RecruitingNot Applicable
Effects of Olfactory Stimuli in Virtual Reality Cue Exposure on Craving and Attentional Bias in Alcohol Use Disorder
Germany60 participantsStarted 2026-07-01
Plain-language summary
Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a prevalent and burdensome clinical condition with high relapse rates. A central risk factor for relapse is craving for alcohol-often accompanied by an attentional bias toward alcohol-related stimuli-which can be evoked by both real-world and virtual stimuli in immersive virtual reality (VR). In addition to visual and auditory stimuli, olfactory stimuli are increasingly recognized as important for creating realistic, multisensory VR environments. However, no systematic investigation has yet examined how olfactory stimuli embedded in VR-based cue exposure (VR-CE) influence craving and attentional bias in patients with AUD.
The goal of this prospective experimental single-arm clinical study, with a 2 (visual stimuli: neutral vs. alcohol-related VR scenarios) × 2 (olfactory stimuli: no odor vs. alcohol-related odor) within-subjects factorial design, is to determine how visual and olfactory stimuli contribute to the outcomes during a multimodal VR-CE in patients with AUD.
The main question is whether VR-CE with concurrent visual and olfactory alcohol-related stimuli induces a greater increase in craving and attentional bias from baseline than exposure to a single modality (visual or olfactory), as assessed by subjective and psychophysiological measures in patients with AUD.
Who can participate
Age range
18 Years – 65 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:
* age between 18-65 years
* diagnosis of alcohol dependence according to ICD-10 (F10.2)
* complete inpatient detoxification within the last three months
* history of alcohol craving
* capacity to provide written informed consent
Exclusion Criteria:
* substance dependences other than alcohol or nicotine
* current alcohol intoxication (tested by random breath-alcohol measurements)
* alcohol abstinence less than 7 days or on-going alcohol consumption
* severe neuropsychiatric disorder (e.g. schizophrenia-spectrum disorder, bipolar affective disorder or substantial cognitive impairment)
* severe medical conditions affecting brain or heart function that could influence the parameters under investigation
* acute suicidality or risk of harm to others
* current pharmacological treatment for alcohol dependence (e.g., benzodiazepines) or for craving (e.g., acamprosate, disulfiram, naltrexone, nalmefene)
* other medications that may have a significant influence on heart rate
* sinusitis, self-reported problems with smell, or lack of normosmia, assessed both subjectively and objectively
* limited ability to understand the study information, the consent form or the study procedures and principles
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
Self-reported craving (VAS-C)
Timeframe: Day 1, at minute 0:30, 2:30 and 4:30 during both VR baseline sessions and each VR-CE condition.