Feasibility study of an innovative VR psychotherapy

This Innovation and Commercialisation project will conduct a feasibility study of an innovative VR psychotherapy as a pathway to commercialisation. The VR application automates comprehensive psychotherapy that is widely used for life-changing treatment of anxiety disorder and depression. This revolutionary design can help improve public access to the therapy amid ongoing challenges in NHS. We will conduct a small-scale user trial, assisted by partnering health institutions (St Andrew’s Healthcare and Cardinal Clinic).

EMDR is an effective psychothereapy for trauma, anxiety and depression treatment. However, the wating time for NHS mental health appointment to receive EMDR treatment could be as long as 1-2 years. We develop a new virtual reality based intervention that allows patients to receive EMDR treatment at home within a couple of weeks. The therapy sessions will be supported by NHS therapist remotely to ensure that patients stay connected with the health services. Small clinical studies will be conducted to assess the feasiblity and acceptability of the new intervension.