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Funding awarded for virtual reality headset for autistic service users

25 Oct 24

Autistic service users with anxiety are set to benefit from funding for a new VR headset to support with their mental health.

HPFT has been awarded an £80,000 Innovate UK government grant - part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), and will collaborate with SyncVR Medical UK LTD, who are developing a number of pioneering studies into virtual reality interventions within mental health. 

Four colleagues from the research team with one wearing the VR headset

The aim of the project is to widen the options for digital interventions to help increase access to therapy for autistic young people. It is hoped that this will help to improve outcomes and reduce the requirement for medication based treatments. 

Virtual reality allows individuals to be immersed into a sense of realism, whilst remaining within an environment that is safe and familiar. This may help support young people with anxiety, who find it challenging to engage in imagination based scenarios, or emotionally overwhelming to be in these situations in real life. 

Together with SyncVR, HPFT have created a 12 session virtual reality CBT (cognitive behaviour therapy) programme (VR-CBT). Each session will include a weekly practice of different exercises to help manage anxiety. This will be done within a virtual reality forest, where service users will learn strategies such as box breathing, muscle relaxation and attention training.

Service users can complete an exposure task, which may include walking down a high street, shopping in a supermarket or waiting at a bus stop.  Using the headset, they will be guided through using different strategies in these situations. The service user will take the VR headset home and be able to undertake daily practice sessions which. As their management of anxiety improves, the time spent in each exposure will gradually increase. The project aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of VR therapy and its feasibility to use within NHS services.


Dr Ella Beeson (Consultant Lead Clinical Psychologist) said:

“We are really excited to be stepping into virtual reality and developing new pioneering treatments that are not yet available.”


Amy Thomson (Research Assistant) said: 

“It’s great to see the passion and support given to help innovate and improve care for autistic young people. This experience has certainly increased my confidence to engage in research and take initiative in applying theory to practice and trying something new. I am eager to see how the future of digital therapy can help increase access and engagement for services.”

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