gameChange: using virtual reality therapy to treat people with psychosis
gameChange virtual reality (VR) therapy is a psychological therapy for people with psychosis. It is designed to help people who feel anxious in everyday situations overcome their fears.
GMMH took part in the largest ever randomised control trial of VR mental health to test the effectiveness of gameChange. Findings from the trial showed that Virtual Reality Therapy led to reductions in anxiety and distress in everyday situations compared with usual care alone. GMMH is now undertaking a pilot project to test the implementation of gameChange in mental health teams across the Trust.
Impact
GameChange had a huge impact on service users who took part in the initial trial and who worked with use to make sure it was the best it could be.
Leo, Service User Co-Producer (left) and Dr Elizabeth Murphy, gameChange Trial Coordinator and Research Clinical Psychologist (right
“When I first found out about using virtual reality in recovery work, I questioned how this would all work. After working with a team and trying out their VR software, I gave therapy a go. When I took off the headset, I felt more confident with speaking to people and using eye contact in social situations. I felt as if it had conquered a fear. I know in my heart, for a fact, that if I had found gameChange earlier, my recovery process would have taken half the time it did. It truly showed me the possibilities of using virtual reality for therapy. “I think gameChange is an important research project that could revolutionise the way therapy is delivered, through the use of virtual reality.” Leo, Service User Co Producer |
"As a clinician, I chose to work in a research setting because I want to focus on developing and delivering interventions of the highest quality, so that I can meaningfully help people. “I also feel it is crucial to improve access to the latest developments in psychological interventions among people experiencing psychosis. Working on the gameChange trial fits with my values; it’s a cutting-edge intervention that will hopefully be widely accessible in the future.” Dr Elizabeth Murphy, gameChangeTrial Coordinator and Research Clinical Psychologist at Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust |
gameChange Research Assistants from across the country. | The GMMH gameChange team. From left to right: Heather Peel, Service User Researcher; Emma Izon, Assistant Research Psychologist; Dr Elizabeth Murphy, Research Clinical Psychologist and Trial Coordinator; Cindy Chan, Assistant Research Psychologist. |
For more information about gameChange, visit: https://gamechangevr.com