Novel VR Intervention for Use in Psychiatric Inpatient Wards

NCT06917456 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: OBRA1004
• Study Type: observational
• Target: 43
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The current study aims to examine the feasibility and acceptability of a VR app for use on inpatient psychiatric wards. The study will be completed in two stages. Stage One is a co-design stage. A virtual reality hypnotherapy app that has been developed in collaboration with the company Phase Space, will be trialled with psychiatric inpatients. 16 patients and six staff members will be recruited at this stage. The first eight patients will test the headset and provide feedback. Based on this, the app will be modified by Phase Space and then trialled by an additional eight patients. Concurrently with the recruitment of the 16 patients, six staff members from the ward will be recruited to complete an interview about the feasibility and use of virtual reality headsets on the ward. The total feedback will be taken back to Phase Space who will further modify the app to then be implemented in the pilot stage. Stage Two- Pilot stage. The Pilot stage will be held in the sensory rooms of two inpatient psychiatric wards. The recruitment period will last four weeks. During the four-week period, participants will have the option of attending a drop-in session held on their ward. The drop-in session will be held twice weekly for the four-week period and participants will be able to use the VR headset during this time period. They will be able to attend the drop-in session as frequently as they would like over the four week period, meaning that they have the ability to attend up to eight drop-in sessions. The new app will be piloted on sixteen inpatients to see if it is deemed acceptable and feasible for use on inpatient wards. the first use of the headset, as well as after four sessions (or earlier if the participant decides to end involvement before they reach four sessions). If a participant attends all eight sessions, they will complete the questionnaires again after the eighth session. Additionally, participants will complete the CR Comment Card before and after each use of the VR headset. Participants will also complete a short qualitative interview after their last session. The interview will comprise of asking participants to provide any feedback they have on the VR, as well as understanding more about how they could see the VR implemented into a ward setting. Staff members will be recruited to assist in the running of the VR drop-in sessions. Staff will also be asked to provide any feedback on the sessions and observations of the sessions through a diary. At the end of the recruitment window, staff will also be asked to complete a short interview asking about topics such as any changes in participants' behaviour after the VR, logistical challenges around patients using the headsets, how the equipment was looked after and maintained, locations used for the VR and demands on staff time for the rollout.

Conditions

Mental Health; Virtual Reality

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (1)

• Acceptability of the virtual reality software

  Acceptability of the virtual reality software will be measured through the feedback provided in the qualitative interviews with the participants.

  through study completion, an average of 1 month

Study Arms (1)

Participants from inpatient wards

This cohort will include patients and staff from inpatient psychiatric wards.

Device: Virtual Reality Headset

Interventions

Virtual Reality Headset DEVICE

Participants will use either a Meta Quest VR device, or a Pico headset. Both of these devices are standard non-medical hardware items.

Participants from inpatient wards

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 18 Years+
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: No
• Age Groups: Adult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

The population in the study will include inpatients and staff from psychiatric inpatient wards.

You may qualify if:

• Current inpatient or staff member on an inpatient psychiatric ward
• Capacity to consent

You may not qualify if:

• Lacking capacity to provide consent
• History of seizures
• Has a pacemaker

Sponsors & Collaborators

• South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust: lead

Study Sites (1)

Springfield University Hospital, South West London & St. George's Mental Health NHS Trust

London, United Kingdom

Location

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Psychological Well-Being

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Personal Satisfaction; Behavior

Study Officials

• Aileen O'Brien

  South West London & St. George's Mental Health NHS Trust

  PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

• Study Type: observational
• Observational Model: COHORT
• Time Perspective: CROSS SECTIONAL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: SPONSOR

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: March 18, 2025
• First Posted: April 8, 2025
• Study Start: July 21, 2025
• Primary Completion: February 23, 2026
• Study Completion: March 31, 2026
• Last Updated: April 1, 2026

Record last verified: 2026-03

Locations

GB (1)