Olfactory enhancement of exposure to alcohol stimuli in virtual reality in patients with alcohol use disorder

Olfactory enhancement of exposure to alcohol stimuli in virtual reality in patients with alcohol use disorder - VR-AUD-Augment

Status

Active, not recruiting

Phases

Unknown

Study type

Interventional

Source

DRKS

Registry ID

DRKS00036188

Enrollment

128

Registered

2025-02-18

Start date

2025-03-04

Completion date

Unknown

Last updated

2026-01-12

For informational purposes only — not medical advice. Sourced from public registries and may not reflect the latest updates. Terms

Conditions

Alcohol use disorder (DSM-5)

Interventions

Group 1: Single exposure to alcohol stimuli in virtual reality with olfactory augmentation Group 2: Single exposure to alcohol stimuli in virtual reality without olfactory augmentation

Eligibility

Sex/Gender

All

Age

18 Years to 64 Years

Inclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria: - In inpatient treatment - Alcohol Use Disorder according to DSM-5 - Completed physical detoxification (defined here as no use of benzodiazepines or clomethiazole in the last 24 hours) - Craving criterion according to DSM-5 fulfilled

Exclusion criteria

Exclusion criteria: - Treatment with acamprosate or naltrexone - Patients with advanced neurological diseases, i.e. Parkinson's disease and encephalomyelitis disseminata - Known intolerance to high-frequency flickering visual stimuli, as it occurs in very rare cases with certain forms of epilepsy and migraine - Anosmia

Design outcomes

Primary

Measure	Time frame
Threat perception (PASA)	—

Secondary

Measure	Time frame
Craving (AUQ); anxiety (STAI short); affect (PANAS); situation-related cognitive ratings (PASA); presence (IPQ); psychophysiological parameters	—

Countries

Germany

Contacts

Public ContactBernd Lenz

Zentralinstitut für Seelische Gesundheit

bernd.lenz@zi-mannheim.de+49 621 1703 3522

Outcome results

None listed

Source: DRKS (via WHO ICTRP) · Data processed: Feb 4, 2026