Gordon Michael S, Carswell Steven B, Schadegg Mary, Mangen Kayla, Merkel Kelly, Tangires Susan, Vocci Frank J
a Friends Research Institute , Baltimore , MD , USA.
b Epoch Counseling Center , Catonsville , MD , USA.
Am J Drug Alcohol Abuse. 2017 Sep;43(5):518-524. doi: 10.1080/00952990.2017.1280816. Epub 2017 Feb 17.
Avatar-assisted therapy (AAT) is a novel and emerging technology that uses the Internet to enable clinicians and clients in substance abuse treatment to participate in group counseling sessions from separate and remote locations in real time through the use of avatars and virtual environments.
The current study is a pilot proof-of-concept feasibility study involving individuals in outpatient substance abuse treatment. This report addresses two questions: (1) are individuals who present for substance abuse treatment interested in receiving AAT and (2) what factors are associated with better treatment success.
Individuals who presented at the treatment clinic who met study eligibility criteria, and provided their written informed consent to participate, were included in the current study (N = 59; 78% male).
Twenty-eight (47.5%) participants completed 16 weeks of treatment and attended more sessions compared to non-completers (M = 14.3 vs. 7.5 p < .05). Those individuals who completed treatment were less likely to have a positive urine drug screen at baseline (21.5 vs. 78.6%; p < .05). Furthermore, those individuals who successfully completed treatment were less likely to have positive urine drug screens during treatment compared to those who did not complete (29.7% vs. 70.3%, p < .05). There were no arrests during treatment for completers and non-completers.
Poor retention in substance use disorder treatment has long been a major problem for public health. AAT is a feasible approach that has the potential to expand treatment to individuals who might have difficulty accessing treatment. Moreover, AAT may be appealing to clients who are concerned about anonymity and confidentiality.
阿凡达辅助治疗（AAT）是一种新兴的新技术，它利用互联网，通过阿凡达和虚拟环境，使药物滥用治疗中的临床医生和患者能够从不同的远程位置实时参与团体咨询会议。
本研究是一项涉及门诊药物滥用治疗个体的概念验证可行性试点研究。本报告探讨两个问题：（1）前来接受药物滥用治疗的个体是否对接受阿凡达辅助治疗感兴趣；（2）哪些因素与更好的治疗成功相关。
在治疗诊所就诊且符合研究纳入标准，并提供书面知情同意书参与研究的个体被纳入本研究（N = 59；78%为男性）。
28名（47.5%）参与者完成了16周的治疗，与未完成治疗者相比，参加的疗程更多（M = 14.3对7.5；p <.05）。完成治疗的个体在基线时尿药筛呈阳性的可能性较小（21.5%对78.6%；p <.05）。此外，与未完成治疗的个体相比，成功完成治疗的个体在治疗期间尿药筛呈阳性的可能性较小（29.7%对70.3%，p <.05）。治疗期间，完成治疗者和未完成治疗者均未被捕。
长期以来，药物使用障碍治疗中留存率低一直是公共卫生领域的一个主要问题。阿凡达辅助治疗是一种可行的方法，有可能将治疗扩展到那些可能难以获得治疗的个体。此外，阿凡达辅助治疗可能对那些关心匿名性和保密性的患者有吸引力。
