Virtual Reality Alcohol Treatment : Craving and EEG Responding to Multi-Sensory Stimulation in Patient with Alcohol Dependence

Han, Doug Hyun; Lee, Sang Hoon; Oh, Se Man; Lee, Young Sik

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
: In our previous report, alcohol dependent patients (ADP) with virtual reality treatment showed a greater decrease in cravings for alcohol and increase in alpha power of the frontal lobe, compared to ADP who underwent general treatment. For the showing different responsibility on alcohol consumption situation between ADP and healthy comparisons, we compared the change in cravings and alpha waves in frontal lobe during virtual reality treatment for alcohol dependence (VRT).
METHODS
: Thirty seven alcohol-dependent male inpatients diagnosed using DSM-IV, and 25 ageand education-matched healthy adult males were recruited. We measured the changes in cravings and Electroencephalogram (EEG) activity between alcoholic patients and healthy control subjects during VRT.
RESULTS
: During the VRT, ADP reported higher craving for alcohol during the high risk situation and lower craving for alcohol during aversive situation, compared to healthy controls. The alpha wave of frontal lobe activity in ADP was decreased while that in healthy subject was increased from relaxation to high risk situation (HRS). In ADP, the changes of EEG {Fp1-A1 (r=-0.48, p=0.04), F7-A1 (r=-0.49, p=0.03), Fp2-A2 (r=-0.46, p<0.05), and F8-A2 (r=-0.54, p=0.02)} in the frontal lobe were negatively correlated with the change of craving for alcohol.
CONCLUSION
: The present study demonstrated that the ready availability and the affinity of alcohol cues in ADP appear to be correlated with decreased function of the frontal lobe.