How effective is virtual reality as a reasonable adjustment
Research type
Research Study
Full title
How effective is virtual reality as a reasonable adjustment in improving access to healthcare and compliance with health procedures for people with intellectual disabilities: A participatory action study
IRAS ID
313002
Contact name
Daniel Acton
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
People with learning disability have poorer health outcomes and experience greater health inequalities than the general population. A significant determinant of good health for people is access to physical health services and tolerance of medical investigations and treatments. There is clear evidence that de-sensitisation treatment methods can significantly improve access and health outcomes.
Intervention
The use of virtual reality is an area of growing development within healthcare. Using a systematic approach to desensitisation including digital technology could potentially overcome some barriers to healthcare by simulating medical procedures. We propose a project to examine using virtual reality immersive therapy in clinical practice.
MethodA mixed participation action methodology will be used to enable an in-depth understanding of the effectiveness of the virtual reality desensitisation programme from different perspectives.
Programme development - designing the virtual reality desensitisation programme materials and guides the project will be divided into two specific phases.
Phase one - Approximately four to eight participants will be invited to be part of an involvement group that will be provided with information about the project.
Participants will be asked to provide feedback on the materials, training, and user guides for the virtual reality intervention.
Phase two - The second phase of this project will focus on delivery of the virtual reality desensitisation intervention programme. The programme will be delivered as part of an intellectual disability inpatient and community service intervention for approximately 15-20 people and their supporters who are accessing services and provide consent to participate.Measures and analysis
We will use semi-structured interviews and feedback questionnaires to understand the intervention experience from people’s perspectives. Other measures will look at any changes to people’s behaviour, fears and phobia of healthcare and any improvements to quality of life. Analysis on the effectiveness of the intervention will be completed as part of this project.
REC name
South Central - Oxford C Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
22/SC/0193
Date of REC Opinion
10 Aug 2022
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion