Using Virtual Reality to Treat Social Anxiety in Autistic Adolescents
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Using Virtual Reality Assisted Therapy for Social Anxiety in Adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Case Series
IRAS ID
272006
Contact name
Lucia Valmaggia
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
King's College London
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
284286, Registered charity number no.; 0c Valmaggia, PRT grant reference; 1115384/RE15393, Project/activity reference
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 9 months, 1 days
Research summary
Difficulties interacting with others in social situations is a core characteristic of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). These difficulties are intensified by social anxiety - commonly experienced in the autistic population. A promising psychological treatment is cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), but there are constraints in its use for the autistic population. For example, CBT requires patients to imagine being in a social situation that would cause anxiety, but autistic people often experience difficulties with imagination. The use of virtual reality (VR) in CBT may help us to minimise such constraints. VR uses 3D computer-generated visual environments displayed through a head-mounted display. The images are synchronised to the movements of the user such that they experience feeling immersed in the virtual scene. The virtual scene can involve social scenarios, making it an ideal tool for eliciting social anxiety in the treatment setting. We can see if these virtual scenarios are indeed eliciting social anxiety by recording physiological responses (e.g. heart rate) in parallel with patients’ anxiety ratings during exposure. This is important for CBT to be effective. VR may be particularly appealing to autistic adolescents, who tend to experience heightened social anxiety, as this population tend to enjoy using technology.
This study will test the feasibility and acceptability of VR-assisted CBT, combined with the use of physiological measurements, in autistic adolescents experiencing social anxiety. The therapy will typically consist of 8-20 weekly sessions and will be delivered by therapists in local mental health services. Conventional outcome measures will be used and feedback from youth and their parents will be requested. The results of this study may lead to modification of the treatment and research methods. They will inform a later trial which will test the efficacy of the modified treatment.
REC name
London - Dulwich Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
20/LO/0532
Date of REC Opinion
4 Jun 2020
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion