Developing a Virtual Reality Training Tool for Exposure Therapy: Simulated Exposure Trainer (SET)

NCT06706245 | Completed Results DMC

• 3 other identifiers: 8416601R41MH131229-015R41MH131229-02
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 42
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The goal of this study is to develop a targeted virtual training program (Simulated Exposure Trainer; SET) for exposure therapy. Two platforms with differing levels of immersion (low - mobile device; high - head mounted display) will be evaluated based on their usability and engagement of an empirically-derived training target (i.e., therapist negative beliefs). Target engagement will be evaluated by applying an experimental therapeutics framework during a brief training trial.

Conditions

Low-immersion (Mobile Device); High-immersion (Head Mounted Display)

Keywords

Virtual reality; exposure to exposure; therapist negative beliefs; exposure therapy; evidence-based practices; Simulated Exposure Trainer; virtual training program

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Therapist Negative Beliefs About Exposure Scale (TBES)

  The Therapist Negative Beliefs about Exposure Scale (TBES) assesses the extent to which therapists agree with 21 negative beliefs about exposure therapy (e.g., "most clients have difficulty tolerating the distress exposure therapy evokes"). Items are rated on a 5-point scale from 0 ("disagree strongly") to 4 ( "agree strongly"). Possible scores range from 0 to 84, with a higher score indicating more negative beliefs about exposure.

  Before workshop starts (Baseline); immediately after 4-hour didactic portion of training (Post-didactic), immediately after remaining workshop activities (End of workshop), one month after workshop (Follow-up)

Secondary Outcomes (2)

• Exposure Self-Efficacy

  Before workshop starts (Baseline); immediately after 4-hour didactic portion of training (Post-didactic), immediately after remaining workshop activities (End of workshop), one month after workshop (Follow-up)

• Exposure Knowledge

  Before workshop starts (Baseline); immediately after 4-hour didactic portion of training (Post-didactic), immediately after remaining workshop activities (End of workshop), one month after workshop (Follow-up)

Study Arms (2)

Low-immersion (mobile device)

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Behavioral: SET-VR (computer)

High-immersion (head-mounted display)

EXPERIMENTAL

Behavioral: SET-VR (headset)

Interventions

SET-VR (computer) BEHAVIORAL

Low-immersive version of the SET-VR program

Low-immersion (mobile device)

SET-VR (headset) BEHAVIORAL

High-immersive version of the SET-VR program

High-immersion (head-mounted display)

Eligibility Criteria

• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17), Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)

You may qualify if:

• Bachelor's level of education (or higher)
• Able to come to study site in-person for experiential training
• Has the ability to provide some sort of clinical care to patients

You may not qualify if:

• Found study procedures to be unacceptable during the consent process

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Bradley Hospital: lead
• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH): collaborator

Study Sites (1)

Pediatric Anxiety Research Center at Bradley Hospital

Providence, Rhode Island, 02915, United States

Location

Results Point of Contact

• Title: Joshua Kemp, Assistant Professor
• Organization: Brown University Health

joshua_kemp@brown.edu

4014321466

Publication Agreements

• PI is Sponsor Employee: No
• Restrictive Agreement: No

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: NONE
• Purpose: HEALTH SERVICES RESEARCH
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Staff Clinician / Assistant Professor (Research)

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: November 19, 2024
• First Posted: November 26, 2024
• Study Start: December 1, 2023
• Primary Completion: May 30, 2024
• Study Completion: July 3, 2024
• Last Updated: June 19, 2025
• Results First Posted: June 19, 2025

Record last verified: 2025-06

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will not share

Locations

US (1)