Feasibility; Virtual Reality CBT for Anxiety in Autistic Young People
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The feasibility and acceptability of delivering Virtual Reality Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for anxiety experienced by Autistic Young People.
IRAS ID
347075
Contact name
Ella Beeson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Hertfordshire Partnership Foundation Trust (HPFT)
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 10 months, 31 days
Research summary
There is research about use of virtual reality interventions for autistic people with anxiety, however, there is little research into Virtual Reality Interventions for autistic young people with anxiety. This research is looking at the use of virtual reality interventions for autistic young people with anxiety, to see how autistic young people experience this intervention and whether it helps with anxiety. As it is new research in this area, a programme has been developed in partnership with a Virtual Reality company using existing research and feedback from autistic young people. It will follow a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) approach, teaching attention training and relaxation strategies through virtual reality and using virtual reality ‘exposure’ to anxiety provoking scenarios (e.g., going to McDonalds). They will also take a headset home to practice the skills and exposure. Young people will be asked to complete questionnaires to help measure changes in anxiety and responses to Virtual Reality (to monitor for side effects). Qualitative feedback will also be collected. As it is in the development stages, it is a feasibility study, and will focus on testing the intervention with a small group of 12–18-year-olds. If the intervention and outcome measures looks like it is useful and acceptable to autistic young people, then this would aim to inform further clinical trials to compare this with other interventions.
REC name
South West - Frenchay Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/SW/0132
Date of REC Opinion
9 Jan 2025
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion