Effectiveness of self-training program using the virtual reality exposure therapy in college students with social anxiety
| ISRCTN | ISRCTN14301295 |
|---|---|
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN14301295 |
| ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT) | Nil known |
| Clinical Trials Information System (CTIS) | Nil known |
| Protocol serial number | 31900767, 20dz2260300 |
| Sponsor | East China Normal University |
| Funders | National Natural Science Foundation of China, Research Project of Shanghai Science and Technology Commission, Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities |
- Submission date
- 05/05/2023
- Registration date
- 10/05/2023
- Last edited
- 18/03/2024
- Recruitment status
- No longer recruiting
- Overall study status
- Completed
- Condition category
- Mental and Behavioural Disorders
Plain English summary of protocol
Background and study aims
The lifetime prevalence of social anxiety disorder (SAD) ranges from 2.3% to 12.1%. According to the current survey of college students in China, the prevalence rate is above 8.8%. Exposure therapy is a classic intervention method for social anxiety disorder. With the advancement of technology, the application of virtual reality (VR) has led to the birth of virtual reality exposure therapy (VRET).
Who can participate?
This study plans to recruit 60 participants with high levels of social anxiety, and the sources of the participants are students in the colleges of Shanghai. They were randomly divided into an intervention group and a waiting group, with 30 participants in both groups.
What does the study involve?
To explore the self-training intervention effect of VRET on social anxiety of subclinical college students. Specifically, a single-factor inter-participant design was adopted, the independent variable was exposure therapy intervention (intervention, no intervention), and the dependent variable included the following items: 1. Social anxiety level, 2. Global distress, 3. Affect, 4. Heart rate, 5. Blood pressure.
What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Participating in this study, the participants can get a free 14-day self-training intervention program, which may alleviate the social anxiety symptoms of the participants after extensive research abroad.
Where is the study run from?
The pre-test and post-test will be arranged at the laboratory of East China Normal University Zhongbei Campus (No. 3663 Zhongshan North Road, Putuo District, Shanghai). The other self-training program will be exerted by the subjects themselves at home.
When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
The Enrollment was started on 12/05/2023. The intervention will be started on 23/05/2023 and expected to run for 1 year.
Who is funding the study?
The funders are the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31900767), the Research Project of Shanghai Science and Technology Commission(20dz2260300), and Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities.
Who is the main contact?
Examiner: Kan Chinghsiang (Address: School of Psychology and Cognitive Science, East China Normal University, No. 3663 Zhongshan North Road, Putuo District, Shanghai, WeChat ID: animalfarmkang, E-mail: animalfarmkang@msn.com, Tel: +86 13585700546).
Contact information
Public
School of Psychology and Cognitive Science
East China Normal University
No. 3663 Zhongshan North Road
Putuo District
Shanghai
200062
China
 ORCID ID |
0009-0009-8989-2159 |
|---|---|
| Phone | +86 13585700546 |
| yzhang@psy.ecnu.edu.cn |
Study information
| Primary study design | Interventional |
|---|---|
| Study design | Single-center single-blind randomized controlled trial |
| Secondary study design | Randomised controlled trial |
| Participant information sheet | 43595 PIS.pdf |
| Scientific title | Recharge for Social Anxlien: VRET Self-training Program |
| Study acronym | STPVRET |
| Study objectives | The study aims to examine the self-training intervention program is effective to alleviate the anxiety level of college students with high social anxiety. |
| Ethics approval(s) | Approved 26/02/2023, East China Normal University Committee on Human Research Protection (3663 Zhongshan Road North, Shanghai 200062, China; +86 21 6223 3333; ask.irb@admin.ecnu.edu.cn), ref: HR2-0008-2023 |
| Health condition(s) or problem(s) studied | High level of social anxiety |
| Intervention | Intervention: self-training program of virtual reality exprosure therapy Total duration of treatment: 14 days Dose: 8 video courses, each about 15 minutes, the participants used the WeChat mini-program at home to watch social scene videos with gradually increasing anxiety levels through VR glasses. Pre-test and post-test: The experimenter personally administers the test in the school laboratory. Follow-up practice and follow-up test: On the 44th to 45th day, the participants will complete by themselves after receiving the VR glasses from the experimenter, and then send the VR glasses back. Randomisation: 60 participants were randomly divided into an intervention group and a waiting group using the function of "Data-Case Selection-Random Case Sample" in SPSS, with 30 participants in both groups. |
| Intervention type | Behavioural |
| Primary outcome measure(s) |
Anxiety is measured using the Social Phobia Inventory (SPIN) and the Liebowitz Social Anxiety Scale (LSAS) at 1, 14, and 45 d. |
| Key secondary outcome measure(s) |
1. Global distress is measured using the Clinical Outcome in Routine Evaluation-Outcome Measure (CORE‐OM) and the Clinical Outcome in Routine Evaluation-10 (CORE-10) at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12, 14, and 45 d. |
| Completion date | 15/11/2023 |
Eligibility
| Participant type(s) | Patient |
|---|---|
| Age group | Adult |
| Lower age limit | 18 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Target sample size at registration | 60 |
| Total final enrolment | 61 |
| Key inclusion criteria | Current inclusion criteria as of 18/05/2023: 1. Age: 18+ years 2. Status: College students in colleges and universities in Shanghai (undergraduate to doctoral students) 3. Anxiety level: a total score of 31 or more on the SPIN scale or a total score of 35 or more on the LSAS scale _____ Previous inclusion criteria: 1. Age: 18+ years 2. Status: College students in colleges and universities in Shanghai (undergraduate to doctoral students) 3. Anxiety level: a total score of 31 or more on the SPIN scale or a total score of 30 or more on the LSAS scale |
| Key exclusion criteria | Current exclusion criteria as of 18/05/2023: 1. Diagnosed mental disorders other than social anxiety disorder or a total score of 29 or more on the BDI-II scale. 2. Suicide and self-injury high-risk groups (CORE-10). 3. People who are strongly uncomfortable with VR videos (SSQ). ____ Previous exclusion criteria: 1. Diagnosed mental disorders other than social anxiety disorder. 2. Suicide and self-injury high-risk groups (CORE-10). 3. People who are strongly uncomfortable with VR videos (SSQ). |
| Date of first enrolment | 10/05/2023 |
| Date of final enrolment | 10/06/2023 |
Locations
Countries of recruitment
- China
Study participating centre
Shanghai
200062
China
Results and Publications
| Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to share | Yes |
|---|---|
| IPD sharing plan summary | Stored in non-publicly available repository |
| IPD sharing plan | The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are/will be available upon request from. Name: Kan Chinghsiang Email address: animalfarmkang@msn.com Type of data that will be shared: All data except participant's private information When the data will become available and for how long: Available after publication and for permanence By what access criteria data will be shared including with whom: Research with public registration For what types of analyses: All By what mechanism: Email Whether consent from participants was obtained: Consent in advance with Participant Statement Comments on data anonymisation: No providing of participant's private information Ethical or legal restrictions: Abiding by the law and ethics guidelines of China |
Study outputs
| Output type | Details | Date created | Date added | Peer reviewed? | Patient-facing? |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Participant information sheet | 09/05/2023 | No | Yes | ||
| Participant information sheet | Participant information sheet | 11/11/2025 | 11/11/2025 | No | Yes |
Additional files
- 43595 PIS.pdf
- Participant information sheet
Editorial Notes
18/03/2024: The following changes were made to the study record:
1. The overall study end date was changed from 31/03/2024 to 15/11/2023.
2. The intention to publish date was changed from 31/12/2024 to 01/04/2024.
3. Total final enrolment added.
19/05/2023: Internal review.
18/05/2023: The following changes were made to the trial record:
1. The inclusion criteria were changed.
2. The exclusion criteria were changed.
17/05/2023: The plain English summary was updated.
09/05/2023: Trial's existence confirmed by East China Normal University Committee on Human Research Protection
