NCT05704868

UniVRse: VR-CBT for Students With Social Anxiety

UniVRse: Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial of Virtual Reality Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (VR-CBT) for Students With Social Anxiety

• Status: Recruiting
• Phase: N/A
• Study type: Interventional
• Enrollment: 90 (estimated)
• Sponsor: University of Surrey · Academic / Other
• Sex: All
• Age: 18 Years
• Healthy volunteers: Accepted

Summary

The goal of this pilot randomised controlled trial is to evaluate the effectiveness of the UniVRse VR-CBT programme in students with social anxiety. The aims of this trial are: 1. To determine whether a full trial is justified; 2. To establish the effect size on the co-primary outcomes for a sample size calculation for a definitive trial; 3. To address questions concerning study recruitment, retention, and acceptability. Participants will complete a baseline assessment (T0) and then be randomly allocated to receive either UniVRse VR-CBT or join the wait-list control group. UniVRse VR-CBT uses graded exposure techniques delivered using VR to help students feel more confident in university-based situations. Data will be collected post-intervention (T1) along with exit interviews to assess participant experience.

Conditions

• Social Anxiety

Interventions

Type	Name	Description
BEHAVIORAL	UniVRse + TAU	UniVRse uses well-established evidence-basedcognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) techniques - specifically graded exposure - to reduce fear and worries about social situations. People work towards overcoming their anxiety in a step-by-step fashion, building up to the most feared situation. In the context of UniVRse, students will be presented with four university-based scenarios that our coproduction team identified as being the most anxiety-induing for students: 1. Attending a lecture; 2. Group work in a seminar; 3. Delivering a presentation; 4. Contributing to an online seminar. The UniVRse programme has been designed with our co-production team comprised of tirst-generation students with social anxiety, CBT therapists, and a VR design company.

Timeline

• Start date: 2023-12-08
• Primary completion: 2024-07-01
• Completion: 2024-07-01
• First posted: 2023-01-30
• Last updated: 2024-05-13

Locations

1 site across 1 country: United Kingdom