Anxiety/stress Mental and Behavioural Disorders
Conditions
Interventions
Overview
The study employed an unblinded, parallel randomised controlled trial (RCT) design with university students. A clinically informed multi-sensory hypnotherapy-based experience using an immersi
a deliberate decision was made not to exclude students with mental health concerns. 131 participants were recruited and randomly allocated to VR (n=67) or video (n=64). Participants received sixty p
Sponsors
St George's, University of London
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: 1. Over the age of 18 2. Enrolled student at St George's University of London
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: 1. History of seizures 2. History of pacemakers
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| 1. Momentary negative and positive affective states, and participants’ level of immersion were measured using a 10-point numerical analogue scale (VAS) at baseline and a 2-week follow-up 2. Cybersickness was measured using the Simulator Sickness Questionnaire (SSQ) before and after the intervention on the final trial session 3. The following short-term outcomes in perceived stress, wellbeing, and depressive symptoms measures using standardised questionnaires at baseline and a 2-week follow-up: 3.1. Global perceived level of stress was measured with the 10-item version of the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) 3.2. Positive states of being, thinking, behaving and feeling in the last 2 weeks were measured using the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Wellbeing Scale (WEMWBS) 3.3. Depression symptoms were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire-2 (PHQ2) 4. Intervention satisfaction: At the end of the trial, participants were asked which group they would have preferred to be in. Satisfaction with the intervention for participants completing VR or Video interventions was measured using the VAS, measuring levels of agreement (with anchors 1=‘do not agree’, 10=‘totally agree’) that the experience made them feel calmer, had a positive effect and is one they would recommend to other students. Participants were also asked to describe the impact the experience had on them personally, if it is something they could see themselves using and to provide any other comments/feedback in an open-ended manner. At 2-week follow-up, participants rated levels of agreement (on VAS scales) that the intervention helped to manage stressful situations and is a resource they would see themselves using in the future. | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| Use of mental health and support services measured using a study questionnaire at baseline, post-intervention and 2-week follow-up | — |
Countries
England, United Kingdom
Contacts
Public ContactAileen O'Brien
Outcome results
None listed