Feasibility; Virtual Reality CBT for Anxiety in Autistic Young People
Research type
Research Study
Full title
The feasibility and acceptability of delivering Virtual Reality Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for anxiety experienced by Autistic Young People.
IRAS ID
341428
Contact name
Ella Beeson
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Hertfordshire Partnership Foundation Trust (HPFT)
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 10 months, 31 days
Research summary
There is research about use of virtual reality interventions for autistic people with anxiety, however, there is little research into Virtual Reality Interventions for autistic young people with anxiety. This research is looking at the use of virtual reality interventions for autistic young people with anxiety, to see how autistic young people experience this intervention and whether it helps with anxiety. As it is new research in this area, a programme has been developed in partnership with a Virtual Reality company using existing research and feedback from autistic young people. It will follow a Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) approach, teaching relaxation strategies through virtual reality and using virtual reality ‘exposure’ to anxiety provoking scenarios (e.g., going to McDonalds). They will also take a headset home to practice the skills and exposure. This research aims to test this intervention, to check that Virtual Reality intervention is something that autistic young people would accept and use. It would also check the effectiveness of the developed program and if it helps young people with their anxiety. Young people will be asked to complete questionnaires to help measure changes in anxiety and responses to Virtual Reality (to monitor for side effects). Qualitative feedback will also be collected. As it is in the development stages, it is a feasibility study, and will focus on testing the intervention with a small group of 12–18-year-olds. If the intervention looks like it is useful and acceptable to autistic young people, then this would aim to inform further clinical trials to compare this with other interventions.
REC name
East of England - Essex Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
24/EE/0094
Date of REC Opinion
10 May 2024
REC opinion
Unfavourable Opinion