Developing a user-informed intervention study of a virtual reality therapy for social anxiety in autistic adolescents. Issue 1 (2nd January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Adams, Lucy; Simonoff, Emily; Tierney, Kevin; Hollocks, Matthew J.; Brewster, Aylana; Watson, Jennifer; Valmaggia, Lucia
• Is Part Of: Design for health. Volume 6:Issue 1(2022)
• Page Start: 114
• Page End: 133
• Publication Date: 2022-01-02
• Subjects: Virtual reality -- social anxiety -- autism spectrum disorder -- participatory design -- patient and public involvement -- clinician-advisory meeting; Medical technology -- Design -- Periodicals; Medical care -- Design -- Periodicals; Health facilities -- Design and construction -- Periodicals; 610.705
• DOI: 10.1080/24735132.2022.2062151
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2473-5132

Abstract

Abstract: Social anxiety is prevalent in autistic adolescents. Using virtual reality to deliver exposure tasks in cognitive behavioural therapy (VRCBT) – the treatment-of-choice – may improve its accessibility in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). In preparation for testing this, service-providers (i.e. clinicians experienced with this patient group; n = 17), service-users (i.e. autistic adolescents diagnosed with social anxiety; n = 5), and their parents/guardians ( n = 5), from local National Health Service (NHS) clinics specialized in working with ASD, were consulted. The aim was to develop user-informed case series, treatment, and VR design protocols for testing the intervention for the first time. Consultees indicated that the VRCBT exposure tasks ought to be self-paced, as individualizable as possible, viewable to the therapist, and provide a step towards real-life exposure. Consultees identified exposure tasks for simulating in VR: approaching and conversing with others, experiencing perceived injustice, the feeling of being the centre of attention, and situations involving novelty and/or lower predictability. Further implications for developing and testing VRCBT and conducting patient and public involvement (PPI) in autistic adolescents with social anxiety are discussed.