Needle fear Mental and Behavioural Disorders
Conditions
Interventions
Participants (adolescents with significant needle fears) will be randomised to receive the VR therapy or the control group (Treatment as usual, which is typically no treatment). Participants will be a
Sponsors
University of Oxford
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
All
Age
12 Years to 15 Years
Inclusion criteria
Inclusion criteria: 1. Aged 12 - 16 years old (up to 16th birthday) 2. Have significant needle fears that they would like treated (as determined by a screening tool) 3. Willing and able to give assent for participation in the study 4. A parent/guardian is willing and able to give informed consent for their child’s participation in the study
Exclusion criteria
Exclusion criteria: 1. Photosensitive epilepsy or significant visual, auditory, or balance impairment that would make use of VR inappropriate 2. Current engagement in any other psychological treatment for needle fear 3. Command of English inadequate for engaging in the therapy or completing the assessments 4. A participant may also not enter the trial if there is another factor, which, in the judgement of the investigator, would preclude the provision of informed consent/assent or from safely engaging with the trial procedures. Reason for exclusion will be recorded
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| The Injection Phobia Scale- Anxiety (Child Version) at 0, 3, and 6 weeks. | — |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame |
|---|---|
| 1. Needle-related disgust reactions measured by the Disgust Emotion Scale for Children – Injections and Blood Draws Subscale at 0, 3, and 6 weeks. 2. Needle-related fearful cognitions measured by the Needle Cognitions Questionnaire at 0, 3, and 6 weeks | — |
Countries
England, United Kingdom
Contacts
Public ContactEve Twivy
Outcome results
None listed