MIND-VR: Virtual Reality for COVID-19 Operators' Psychological Support
- Conditions
- Stress Related Disorder
- Interventions
- Other: Control (CR)Behavioral: VR for psychoeducation and relaxation
- Registration Number
- NCT04611399
- Lead Sponsor
- Fondazione I.R.C.C.S. Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta
- Brief Summary
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, several psychological support programs for health care workers have been implemented, especially group or individual counseling sessions delivered face-to-face or using phones and video conferencing platforms. However, there are significant barriers to the delivery of such psychological initiatives. In this context, digital interventions to improve health services and care outcomes are recommended for implementing and providing remote psychological support. Virtual reality can play a relevant role in providing psychological care to healthcare workers facing COVID-19. New commercial head-mounted display have made virtual reality accessible even to the mass audience, breaking down the barriers in the diffusion and use of this technology. Thanks to this fact, virtual reality can now be autonomously used by people and offered to provide psychological assistance remotely. Within this context, this randomized controlled study aims to investigate the efficacy of a virtual reality home-based program for diminishing stress and anxiety in a sample of Italian healthcare workers involved in the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Detailed Description
Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, several psychological support programs for health care workers have been implemented, especially group or individual counseling sessions delivered face-to-face or using phones and video conferencing platforms. However, there are significant barriers to the delivery of such psychological initiatives. In this context, digital interventions to improve health services and care outcomes are recommended for implementing and providing remote psychological support.
Virtual reality can play a relevant role in providing psychological care to healthcare workers facing COVID-19. New commercial head-mounted display have made virtual reality accessible even to the mass audience, breaking down the barriers in the diffusion and use of this technology. Thanks to this fact, virtual reality can now be autonomously used by people and offered to provide psychological assistance remotely.
Within this context, this randomized controlled trial (RCT) aims to investigate the efficacy of a virtual reality home-based program for diminishing stress and anxiety in a sample of Italian healthcare workers involved in the COVID-19 pandemic. In particular, the objective is to compare the efficacy of this type of training with respect to the same program without virtual reality and a waiting list.
Recruitment & Eligibility
- Status
- COMPLETED
- Sex
- All
- Target Recruitment
- 30
- Age > 18, < 65;
- Having worked on the front line as a doctor or nurse during the COVID-19 emergency (i.e., having assisted COVID-19 patients or having worked in departments dedicated to COVID-19 patients);
- Normal or corrected to normal visual acuity;
- Normal or corrected to normal hearing ability.
- Physical illness: cardiovascular issues, neurological illness, epilepsy;
- Pharmacotherapy with: psychotropic drugs, anti-hypertensive drugs, anti-epileptics;
Study & Design
- Study Type
- INTERVENTIONAL
- Study Design
- PARALLEL
- Arm && Interventions
Group Intervention Description Control (CR) Group Control (CR) The CR Group will undergo pre- and post-protocol tests without undergoing any treatment. Virtual Reality (VR) Group VR for psychoeducation and relaxation The treatment for the participants allocated to the VR Group consists of three home-sessions of approximately 30 minutes each, conducted over one week. In each session, participants will be asked to try for about 15 minutes "MIND-VR". Subsequently, they will try the virtual relaxation content "The Secret Garden".
- Primary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Change in score at the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory -Y2 Baseline; immediately after the procedure/intervention; 3 months and 6 months follow-up A 20 item measure of the level of the state anxiety
Change in score at the Depression, Anxiety ans Stress Scale-21 items Baseline; immediately after the procedure/intervention; 3 months and 6 months follow-up A 21 item in 3 self-report scales which measures depression, anxiety and stress
Change in score at the Perceived Stress Scale Baseline; immediately after the procedure/intervention; 3 months and 6 months follow-up A 10 item measure of the level of stress perceived in the last month
Change in score of knowledge on stress and anxiety Baseline; immediately after the procedure/intervention; 3 months and 6 months follow-up A 7 item measure at the ad hoc questionnaire to assess the knowledge of stress and anxiety
- Secondary Outcome Measures
Name Time Method Change in score at the EQ-5D-5L Baseline; immediately after the procedure/intervention; 3 months and 6 months follow-up A measure which defines the state of health and the perceived quality of life
Trial Locations
- Locations (1)
Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta
🇮🇹Milan, Italy