Virtual reality therapy for sensory sensitivity in adults with autism
Tests a virtual reality program using cognitive-behavior therapy for adults with autism spectrum disorder.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Targeting the Sensory Disturbance in Autism Spectrum Disorder
Key facts
- Where
- Taipei, TaiwanSee the site
Could this be for you?
Answer for yourself. This is not a decision: only the study team can say whether you can take part.
- Are you between 20 and 45 years old?
Source: NCT05157477, who can take part
Where in Taiwan
- National Taiwan University HospitalTaipei, TaiwanTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- National Taiwan University Hospital
- Trial code
- NCT05157477
- Record updated
- 31 July 2026
- Original description
This study aims to establish a cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) based virtual exposure (VR) exposure program to train ASD adults coping with everyday sensory scenarios. Through the practice and training, the ASD participants may learn the strategy to deal with the common sensory scenarios and master the anxiety around the exposure. The anticipatory anxiety and the maladaptive behaviors may be decreased along with the process of desensitization, while the functional impairment related to sensory sensitivity can partly be recovered.Read full original descriptionShow less
Targeting the Sensory Disturbance in Autism Spectrum Disorder: The Effectiveness of Cognitive-behavior Therapy-based Virtual Reality Exposure Program
This study aims to establish a cognitive-behavior therapy (CBT) based virtual exposure (VR) exposure program to train ASD adults coping with everyday sensory scenarios. Through the practice and training, the ASD participants may learn the strategy to deal with the common sensory scenarios and master the anxiety around the exposure. The anticipatory anxiety and the maladaptive behaviors may be decreased along with the process of desensitization, while the functional impairment related to sensory sensitivity can partly be recovered.
Inclusion: young adult aged between 18 and 45 years who had a diagnosis of ASD from a licensed mental health or medical professional based on DSM-5; has sensory and social problems as reported by the participant and the caregiver; is motivated to participate in the treatment; is fluent in Chinese; has a full-scale IQ > 70 on WAIS-IV; scored ≧ 26 on the caregiver-reported Autism Spectrum Quotient (AQ), indicating clinical impairment associated with ASD.
Exclusion: A history of major mental illness (e.g., bipolar affective disorder, schizophrenia, or psychosis) or neurological diseases; visual impairment and/or hearing impairment that would preclude participation in the CBT-based VR exposure program.