UniVRse: VR-CBT for Students With Social Anxiety

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF SURREY · Jan 19, 2023

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

The UniVRse trial is studying a new program called VR-CBT, which stands for Virtual Reality Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, designed to help university students struggling with social anxiety. The main goal of this pilot study is to see if the program is effective enough to warrant a larger trial. Participants will be randomly assigned to either the UniVRse VR-CBT group, where they will use virtual reality to practice facing anxiety-provoking situations in a safe environment, or to a wait-list group where they will not receive the intervention right away. The study will gather feedback from participants after the program to understand their experiences and feelings of confidence in social situations at university.

To be eligible for the trial, participants must be current students at the University of Westminster who feel they need help with social anxiety, specifically in situations like speaking up in class or giving presentations. They should be able to read and understand English and should be willing to participate. However, certain individuals, such as those with specific medical conditions or who are currently receiving other psychological treatments, may not be able to take part. Overall, this study aims to explore how well VR-CBT can help students manage their anxiety and improve their confidence in social settings.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• For participants to be eligible to take part, they must be:
• • A current student at the University of Westminster;
• • Able to read and communicate in English;
• • Wanting help to feel more confident at university;
• * Deemed to have context-specific social anxiety as defined by a response of 'moderate' or 'often' on one of the subscales from any one of the following items from the MLSAS-SR: 5, 12, 17, and 9. These items reflect the highest level (i.e. most anxiety-invoking) of each of the four scenarios within the UniVRse programme:
• • Asking a question in a lecture in person
• • Delivering a presentation on your own in front of the class
• • Speaking using my mic during online seminars
• • Speaking up during small group discussions in person
• Exclusion Criteria:
• Persons will be excluded from the study if meet any of the following criteria:
• • Have photosensitive epilepsy;
• • Have a visual impairment that cannot be corrected with glasses;
• • Have a balance disorder;
• • Have a significant auditory impairment;
• • Have current and active suicidal plans;
• • Are currently accessing or have confirmed plans to access another psychological intervention during the course of the study.
• Participants will be excluded from providing a saliva sample (required for the cortisol measurement) if they meet any of the following criteria:
• • Are pregnant;
• • Currently breastfeeding;
• • Taking any medications;
• • Have any other serious medical condition;
• • Think that they currently have COVID-19. These participants may still participate in the wider UniVRse trial if they meet all of the aforementioned main trial inclusion/exclusion criteria.