MedPath

Pilot Study of Virtual Reality Therapy for Students With Anxiety

Not Applicable
Recruiting
Conditions
Anxiety
Interventions
Device: gameChange
Registration Number
NCT05319509
Lead Sponsor
The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
Brief Summary

The purpose of this study is to assess changes in self-reported anxiety over the course of six virtual reality (VR) sessions and to assess changes in academic self-efficacy, as well as examine the feasibility and acceptability of a relatively short and time intensive VR intervention (i.e.,six sessions over the course of three weeks) for reducing anxiety symptoms in college students.

Detailed Description

Not available

Recruitment & Eligibility

Status
RECRUITING
Sex
All
Target Recruitment
100
Inclusion Criteria
  • enrolled in The University of Texas Health Science Center School of Public Health San Antonio regional campus
  • competent in English
  • total score of at least 3 on the Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-2)
Exclusion Criteria
  • Currently receiving psychological treatment for anxiety symptoms, or has received treatment in the last year.
  • Report photosensitive epilepsy.
  • Report stereoscopic vision or balance problems

Study & Design

Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Study Design
SINGLE_GROUP
Arm && Interventions
GroupInterventionDescription
gameChangegameChange-
Primary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in anxiety related behaviors such as volume of speechWeek 1(session1 and session 2), week 2( session 3 and session 4), week 3 (session 5 and session 6)

Anxiety-related behaviors will be recorded using an event sampling observation guide

Change in Psychomotor agitation such as pacingWeek 1(session1 and session 2), week 2( session 3 and session 4), week 3 (session 5 and session 6)

Anxiety-related behaviors will be recorded using an event sampling observation guide

Change in state anxiety as assessed by the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale-Self Report version (LSAS-SR)before first session in week 1, before third session in week 2 and before sixth session in week 3

The LSAS-SR questionnaire is composed of 24 items divided into 2 subscales, 13 concerning performance anxiety, and 11 pertaining to social situations. The 24 items are first rated on a Likert Scale from 0(none) to 3(severe) on fear felt during the situations, and then the same items are rated from 0(never)-3(usually)regarding avoidance of the situation. Combining the total scores for the Fear and Avoidance sections provides an overall score with a maximum of 144 points. Score of 30 or less indicates social anxiety disorder(SAD) is unlikely, score of 30-60 shows that SAD is probable and score 60-90 indicates that SAD is highly probable.

Change in anxiety related behaviors such as Utterances about experienceWeek 1(session1 and session 2), week 2( session 3 and session 4), week 3 (session 5 and session 6)

Anxiety-related behaviors will be recorded using an event sampling observation guide

Change in Psychomotor agitation such as Rubbing hands/neck/headWeek 1(session1 and session 2), week 2( session 3 and session 4), week 3 (session 5 and session 6)

Anxiety-related behaviors will be recorded using an event sampling observation guide

Change in Psychomotor agitation such as FidgetingWeek 1(session1 and session 2), week 2( session 3 and session 4), week 3 (session 5 and session 6)

Anxiety-related behaviors will be recorded using an event sampling observation guide

Change in depressive symptoms as assessed by score on the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4)Baseline(before the first session in week 1)

The PHQ-4 questionnaire consists of 4 questions and each is rated on a 4 point scale from 0(not at all) to 3(every day) for a maximum score of 12,a higher number indicating a worse outcome.

Change in anxiety related behaviors such as rate of speechWeek 1(session1 and session 2), week 2( session 3 and session 4), week 3 (session 5 and session 6)

Anxiety-related behaviors will be recorded using an event sampling observation guide

Change in anxiety related behaviors such as Negative self-talkWeek 1(session1 and session 2), week 2( session 3 and session 4), week 3 (session 5 and session 6)

Anxiety-related behaviors will be recorded using an event sampling observation guide

Change in anxiety related behaviors such as LaughterWeek 1(session1 and session 2), week 2( session 3 and session 4), week 3 (session 5 and session 6)

Anxiety-related behaviors will be recorded using an event sampling observation guide

Change in physiology such as perspirationWeek 1(session1 and session 2), week 2( session 3 and session 4), week 3 (session 5 and session 6)

Anxiety-related behaviors will be recorded using an event sampling observation guide

Secondary Outcome Measures
NameTimeMethod
Change in acceptability as assessed by the rating on a short questionnaireafter the third session in week 2 , after sixth session in week 3

The usability questionnaire is developed by gameChange about the ease of VR software use, believability of VR environment, and level of engagement. this consists of 5 questions and each is scored form 1(strongly disagree) to 5(strongly agree) for a maximum score of 25

Change in perceived presence in the virtual environment (as indicated by continuous score on the Igroup Presence Questionnaire (IPQ)after the third session in week 2 and the sixth session in week 3

There are 14 questions and each one is scored form -3 to +3. A total negative score indicates that the participant personally felt very disconnected from VR world, and that they lacked believable presence within world, and rather felt like they were manipulating a machine from an outside perspective.

change in feasibility as assessed by the rating on a short questionnaireafter the third session in week 2 , after sixth session in week 3

The usability questionnaire is developed by gameChange about the ease of VR software use, believability of VR environment, and level of engagement. this consists of 5 questions and each one is scored form 1(very difficult) to 5(very easy) for a maximum score of 25, a higher number indicating more easiness in using the VR software

Change in self-reported academic performance as assessed by the Motivated Strategies for Learning Questionnaire (MSLQ)before first session in week 1, before third session in week 2 and before sixth session in week 3

The MSLQ questionnaire consists of 9 questions each one is scored from 1= not at all true of me to 7=very true of me, a higher number indicating a better outcome with a maximum score of 63

Trial Locations

Locations (1)

The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston

🇺🇸

Houston, Texas, United States

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