Effects and mechanisms of virtual reality-based and standard cognitive behavioural therapy for paranoia in schizophrenia spectrum disorders
Public defence of PhD thesis by Ulrik Nykjær Jeppesen.
Paranoia is a prevalent and distressing symptom in schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) and is theorised to be maintained by factors targeted in cognitive behavioural therapy for paranoia (CBTp). Virtual reality–based CBTp (VR-CBTp) has been proposed as a means of enhancing treatment effects relative to standard CBTp. This thesis compared the effectiveness of VR-CBTp and standard CBTp and examined whether they operate through different maintaining factors. In a randomised, assessor-masked, parallel-group superiority trial (FaceYourFears), 254 participants with SSD received either VR-CBTp or CBTp. No significant between-group differences were found in paranoia reduction at treatment cessation or at 6-month follow-up. Analyses indicated that safety behaviours and specific core beliefs were associated with treatment response, but no differential mediation across treatments was identified. These findings suggest comparable, genuine therapeutic effects and challenge assumptions of distinct mechanistic pathways, underscoring the need for further research.
Assessment committee
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Ulrik Nykjær Jeppesen. Photo: Christian Bang Professor Stig Poulsen, University of Copenhagen, Denmark (chair)
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Professor Phillipa Garety, Kings College London, United Kingdom
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Professor Jan Ivar Røssberg, University of Oslo, Norway
Supervisors
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Associate Professor Louise Birkedal Glenthøj, University of Copenhagen, Denmark (principal supervisor)
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Professor Merete Nordentoft, University of Copenhagen, Denmark (co-supervisor)
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Associate Professor Stephen Fitzgerald Austin, University of Copenhagen, Denmark (co-supervisor)
Reception
After the defence, there will be a reception at the Department of Psychology, Øster Farimagsgade 2A, room 03.2.M202, 1353 Copenhagen.
