Virtual Reality Therapy for Anxiety in Students
This study is testing a virtual reality (VR) therapy called gameChange for students with anxiety. It aims to see if six VR sessions over three weeks can help reduce anxiety symptoms and improve academic confidence. The gameChange program involves virtual scenarios like a doctor's office or a grocery store, with increasing challenges. Researchers will measure changes in your anxiety and depressive symptoms using questionnaires. You might be able to join if you are a student at The University of Texas Health Science Center School of Public Health San Antonio regional campus, are between 18 and 30 years old, and have some anxiety symptoms. You cannot participate if you are currently receiving or have recently received psychological treatment for anxiety, or if you have photosensitive epilepsy. The study plans to enroll 100 participants.
- Study design
- This is an interventional study, meaning participants will receive a specific treatment. It plans to enroll 100 participants, but the specific phase is not mentioned.
- What's involved
- You would participate in six virtual reality sessions over three weeks. You will complete questionnaires before the first, third, and sixth sessions, and at baseline.
- Compensation
- Not stated in the trial record.
- Follow-up
- Your anxiety and depressive symptoms will be assessed at various points during the three-week intervention period.
AI-generated from the public study record. Only the study team can confirm whether you're eligible — confirm details with them before making decisions.
Pilot Study of Virtual Reality Therapy for Students With Anxiety
At a glance
Conditions
Where it's being run
1 sites across 1 statesStudy leadership
- Tsai Jack, PhD · PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR · The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston
Who to contact
Opens a ready-to-send draft in your own email app — review before sending.
Do you actually qualify for this trial?
Add a private profile and we'll compare every criterion below against your situation — and tell you which ones are met, uncertain, or excluding.
Inclusion
Exclusion
What this trial measures
- Change in state anxiety as assessed by the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale-Self Report version (LSAS-SR)before first session in week 1, before third session in week 2 and before sixth session in week 3
The LSAS-SR questionnaire is composed of 24 items divided into 2 subscales, 13 concerning performance anxiety, and 11 pertaining to social situations. The 24 items are first rated on a Likert Scale from 0(none) to 3(severe) on fear felt during the situations, and then the same items are rated from 0(never)-3(usually)regarding avoidance of the situation. Combining the total scores for the Fear and Avoidance sections provides an overall score with a maximum of 144 points. Score of 30 or less indicates social anxiety disorder(SAD) is unlikely, score of 30-60 shows that SAD is probable and score 60-90 indicates that SAD is highly probable.
- Change in depressive symptoms as assessed by score on the Patient Health Questionnaire-4 (PHQ-4)Baseline(before the first session in week 1)
The PHQ-4 questionnaire consists of 4 questions and each is rated on a 4 point scale from 0(not at all) to 3(every day) for a maximum score of 12,a higher number indicating a worse outcome.
- Change in anxiety related behaviors such as rate of speechWeek 1(session1 and session 2), week 2( session 3 and session 4), week 3 (session 5 and session 6)
Anxiety-related behaviors will be recorded using an event sampling observation guide
- Change in anxiety related behaviors such as volume of speechWeek 1(session1 and session 2), week 2( session 3 and session 4), week 3 (session 5 and session 6)
Anxiety-related behaviors will be recorded using an event sampling observation guide
- Change in anxiety related behaviors such as Negative self-talkWeek 1(session1 and session 2), week 2( session 3 and session 4), week 3 (session 5 and session 6)
Anxiety-related behaviors will be recorded using an event sampling observation guide
- Change in anxiety related behaviors such as Utterances about experienceWeek 1(session1 and session 2), week 2( session 3 and session 4), week 3 (session 5 and session 6)
Anxiety-related behaviors will be recorded using an event sampling observation guide
- Change in anxiety related behaviors such as LaughterWeek 1(session1 and session 2), week 2( session 3 and session 4), week 3 (session 5 and session 6)
Anxiety-related behaviors will be recorded using an event sampling observation guide
- Change in Psychomotor agitation such as pacingWeek 1(session1 and session 2), week 2( session 3 and session 4), week 3 (session 5 and session 6)
Anxiety-related behaviors will be recorded using an event sampling observation guide
- Change in Psychomotor agitation such as FidgetingWeek 1(session1 and session 2), week 2( session 3 and session 4), week 3 (session 5 and session 6)
Anxiety-related behaviors will be recorded using an event sampling observation guide
- Change in Psychomotor agitation such as Rubbing hands/neck/headWeek 1(session1 and session 2), week 2( session 3 and session 4), week 3 (session 5 and session 6)
Anxiety-related behaviors will be recorded using an event sampling observation guide
- Change in physiology such as perspirationWeek 1(session1 and session 2), week 2( session 3 and session 4), week 3 (session 5 and session 6)
Anxiety-related behaviors will be recorded using an event sampling observation guide