Introduction
Auditory verbal hallucinations and persecutory delusions are core and disabling symptoms of schizophrenia spectrum disorders and psychosis. Despite pharmacological advances, many patients exhibit persistent symptoms resistant to standard treatments. Recently, immersive virtual reality (VR) has emerged as a novel therapeutic adjunct, aiming to modulate symptom severity through experiential cognitive and behavioral interventions. Two recent randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have explored VR-based therapies targeting these symptoms: the Challenge assessor-masked trial in Denmark evaluating immersive VR therapy for auditory verbal hallucinations, and the THRIVE trial in England comparing automated VR cognitive therapy with VR mental relaxation for persecutory delusions. This article compares these studies regarding methodology, outcomes, and clinical implications.
