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Enrolling by invitationNAINTERVENTIONAL

Virtual Reality and Post Traumatic Stress

This study looks into new ways to help people in Northern Ireland who have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) due to past events like 'The Troubles'. PTSD can make it very hard to deal with upsetting memories. A common talking therapy, Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT), asks people to gently revisit these memories, but this can be tough. Researchers are testing if low-cost virtual reality (VR) – like 360-degree videos or special VR photos – can make this therapy easier and more effective. They will compare standard TF-CBT with TF-CBT that includes these VR tools, to see how acceptable and helpful this technology can be.

At a glance

Status
Enrolling by invitation
Phase
NA
Sponsor
Queen's University, Belfast
Enrolment target
15
Start
10 Jun 2024
Estimated completion
31 Dec 2025
PTSD - Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

What is this study about?

For many years, people in Northern Ireland have dealt with mental health issues linked to past conflicts, often experiencing PTSD at higher rates than other places. PTSD can cause flashbacks, nightmares, and severe anxiety, making everyday life very difficult. A widely recommended talking therapy for PTSD, called Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT), helps people process their difficult memories to gradually overcome their symptoms. This therapy often involves revisiting the traumatic event in a safe way, which, while helpful, can be very challenging for patients.

Because this process of remembering can be hard, new technologies are being explored to make it easier. Virtual reality (VR) allows someone to step into a lifelike, computer-generated world. The idea is that VR could help people safely and gently explore memories linked to their trauma in a controlled setting, alongside their therapist. This study aims to create and test simple, affordable VR tools, like 360-degree videos or special VR photos, to see if they can be a useful extra support alongside standard TF-CBT.

This research is a 'feasibility study', which means it's checking if using low-cost VR in therapy is practical and comfortable for patients and therapists. They want to understand if this new approach can help improve PTSD treatment and how it can be best used in real-world clinical settings.

Key takeaways

  • Exploring if virtual reality (VR) can help people with PTSD.
  • Specifically focuses on PTSD linked to past conflicts in Northern Ireland.
  • Compares standard therapy (TF-CBT) with TF-CBT plus VR tools.
  • Wants to make revisiting difficult memories during therapy easier and more effective.
  • Aims to understand if low-cost VR is practical for mental health clinics.
  • You participate in one of three groups, including standard therapy only or with VR.

Who may be eligible?

This study is looking for adults aged 18 or older who have Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) linked to past events in Northern Ireland. You would need to have specific PTSD symptoms that are rated above a certain level during a health check.

It's important that you are able and willing to participate in the study and in the standard talking therapy called Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (TF-CBT). Also, the place where your traumatic event happened must be somewhere that can be filmed with a 360-degree camera or scanned for a virtual reality photo.

You cannot take part if you have a history of severe motion sickness, seizures, or certain serious mental health conditions like bipolar disorder, psychosis, or schizophrenia. You also can't join if you've had TF-CBT in the last year, if the location of your trauma cannot be accessed for recording, or if you are currently at risk of harming yourself.

Could this study suit you?

Answer these quick questions to see if you may be eligible. This is a guide only — the research team makes the final call.

  1. Are you 18 years old or older?
  2. Do you have PTSD linked to past events in Northern Ireland?
  3. Are you able and willing to attend standard talking therapy (TF-CBT)?
  4. Is the location of your traumatic event accessible to be filmed or scanned (if applicable)?
  5. Do you *not* have severe motion sickness, seizures, or certain serious mental health conditions?
  6. Have you *not* received TF-CBT in the last 12 months?
Answer every question to see your result.

What does participation involve?

If you join this study, you will be placed into one of three groups. Two groups will receive the standard talking therapy (TF-CBT) along with a type of virtual reality (VR) support – either 360-degree videos or VR photoscans. The third group will only receive the standard TF-CBT. If you are in one of the VR groups, the researchers might create a personalised VR environment based on your traumatic memory location to use during your therapy sessions.

Before and after your therapy, the researchers will collect information about your symptoms. You will also have a chat with a researcher at the end of your therapy to talk about your experiences, and the therapists involved will also provide their feedback. The total duration of your participation will depend on the length of your therapy.

Potential risks and benefits

Potential benefits of taking part include contributing to research that could improve PTSD treatment, and you might find the VR tools helpful in processing difficult memories more comfortably. However, there's no guarantee the VR will be effective for everyone. There's a small risk that revisiting traumatic memories, even with VR, could be distressing, but this will be done in a controlled way with your therapist. If you have a history of motion sickness, VR could potentially trigger this, which is why people with severe motion sickness are not included. You have the right to withdraw from the study at any time, for any reason, without it affecting your usual care.

Locations (1)

Some site locations are approximate. We're improving this — please verify with the trial team before travelling.
  • South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust (Regional Trauma Network)
    Verified postcode
    Belfast, United Kingdom

Common questions

What is PTSD?

PTSD, or Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, is a condition that can develop after someone experiences a shocking, scary, or dangerous event. It can cause flashbacks, nightmares, severe anxiety, and uncontrollable thoughts about the event.

What is TF-CBT?

TF-CBT stands for Trauma-Focused Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. It's a type of talking therapy recommended for PTSD, where you work with a therapist to process your traumatic memories and learn healthier ways to cope.

What is virtual reality (VR)?

Virtual reality uses technology to create a computer-generated environment that you can experience as if you are actually there, often using special headsets. This study uses it to help explore memories related to trauma.

Will using VR make my memories more painful?

The VR tools are designed to help you process memories in a controlled, therapeutic way, sometimes making it easier. While revisiting difficult memories can be challenging, your therapist will be with you to support you throughout the process.

What if I decide I don't want to continue?

You are free to stop participating in the study at any point without it affecting your medical care or relationship with your healthcare team.

How to find out more

Official trial record

Always speak to your GP or specialist before deciding to take part in a study.

Interested in taking part?

Register your interest

Share your details and the research team for "Virtual Reality and Post Traumatic Stress…" will contact you if you may be eligible. Always speak to your GP before agreeing to take part.

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