Virtual reality for visions (VRV): a proof-of-concept study examining the development of a new treatment for distressing visual hallucinations in people with psychosis

TL;DR

This study introduces a new treatment using virtual reality to help people with psychosis manage distressing visual hallucinations by teaching coping strategies in a safe environment.

Contribution

The study presents a novel combination of psycho-education and virtual reality therapy (VUSE+VRV) for treating distressing visual hallucinations in psychosis.

Findings

The feasibility of the VUSE+VRV treatment will be evaluated in a single-arm trial with 16 participants.

Qualitative and quantitative data will assess the acceptability and initial effectiveness of the intervention.

The study will provide insights into recruitment rates and adherence to the treatment approach.

Abstract

Visual Hallucinations (VHs) (seeing things that others do not, or visions) are a common feature of psychosis, causing significant distress and disability. Services rarely ask about these important experiences, and crucially there are no proven beneficial psychological treatments. There are at least two key challenges faced when treating VHs. First, people report not knowing why they see things others don’t, which leads them to feel alone and different from others. Second, they feel they cannot trust their own eyes to tell what is real or not, which can lead to fears they will be hurt or harmed by the VH, or even if they know the experience is not real, they may fear that they are losing their mind, or that they are not able to control or manage their experiences. For these reasons, they may struggle to put skills and strategies into practice when in the presence of the VH. Consequently, we have developed a novel treatment that addresses these core issues. First, we have a psycho-education and coping strategies package called Visual Unusual Sensory Experiences (VUSE) that uses the best aspects of digital technology (animations, videos) to explain why people have VHs and provides normalising information to help the person to feel less alone. It introduces coping strategies that are then tested in Virtual Reality sessions (VR for Visions VRV) where a representation of the visual experience is provided, enabling the person to safely develop skills and gain a sense of mastery and empowerment. We now plan to test this approach in a proof-of-concept study to help determine if this will help people use these skills in the real world and so help reduce distress, improve functioning and quality of life. We will address uncertainties in the feasibility of developing and delivering this treatment and inform its future use in a larger trial.

The study is a single arm feasibility trial (n=16) evaluating VUSE+VRV and treatment as usual. The study is recruiting people with psychosis and distressing VHs in one NHS Trust and uses independent but non-blind research assistants to undertake assessments before, during and after treatment (at baseline, 6, 12 week) and at follow-up (16 weeks). Quantitative information on recruitment rates, adherence and completion of outcome assessments (VHs, other psychiatric symptoms, quality of life and perceived recovery) will be collected. Qualitative interviews will capture service-users’ experience of therapy. Analyses will focus on feasibility outcomes and provide initial estimates of intervention effects. Thematic analysis of the qualitative interviews will assess the acceptability of the intervention.

The trial has received NHS Ethical and Health Research Authority approval (25/EM/0077). Informed consent will be obtained from all participants. Findings will be disseminated directly to participants, and services as well as through open access peer-reviewed publication(s).

ISRCTN11350954.