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Go up in smoke! : A proof of concept study on tobacco craving in a virtual reality environment

Brouwer, Laura (2020) Go up in smoke! : A proof of concept study on tobacco craving in a virtual reality environment.

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Abstract:Background: People with a psychiatric illness (including other dependency issues) and intellectual disabilities form the vulnerable subgroup of tobacco dependent patients. Looking at the absence of interventions and prevention, there is a crucial public health issue. A potentially effective tool for a new treatment is Virtual Reality. Goal: The aim of this study is to investigate whether craving can be generated with the use of a VR environment where smoking cues are present. Method: A proof of concept study with 23 participants at three Dutch Hospitals, focused on increasing craving using a VR environment with smoke-related cues. To measure craving the QSU-Brief and VAS were used. Results: Results showed significant increased levels of craving after the cue-reactivity environment. Discussion: Present study worked on a unique research investigating the possibilities of VR in a group that could potentially benefit greatly on theoretical grounds, but which has not been involved in research so far. The main limitations of the study is the possibility that another variable has influenced the increase of craving over time. Conclusion: Using a VR environment can elicit craving in tobacco, in moderate to severe tobacco dependent patients with a psychiatric illness (including other dependency issues) and/or intellectual disability.
Item Type:Essay (Master)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:77 psychology
Programme:Psychology MSc (66604)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/80646
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