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SafeSpace: what is the feasibility and acceptability of a codesigned virtual reality intervention, incorporating compassionate mind training, to support people undergoing cancer treatment in a clinical setting?

SafeSpace: what is the feasibility and acceptability of a codesigned virtual reality intervention, incorporating compassionate mind training, to support people undergoing cancer treatment in a clinical setting?

Gara, Geraldine, Murray, Lisa, Georgopoulou, Sofia, Anstiss, Tim, Macquarrie, Andrew, Wheatstone, Pete, Bellman, Barbie, Gilbert, Paul, Steed, Anthony and Wiseman, Theresa (2022) SafeSpace: what is the feasibility and acceptability of a codesigned virtual reality intervention, incorporating compassionate mind training, to support people undergoing cancer treatment in a clinical setting? BMJ Open, 12 (2). ISSN 2044-6055 (Print), 2044-6055 (Online) (doi:https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjopen-2020-047626)

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Abstract

Objectives: The SafeSpace study codesigned and tested a virtual reality (VR) intervention, incorporating relaxation and compassionate mind training to determine acceptability/feasibility in an oncology setting and evaluate impact on physical/psychological well-being and quality of life.
Design: A two-phase study. Phase I determined key characteristics using an experienced-based codesign approach. Phase II evaluated the intervention using various measures and qualitative interviews in a mixed methods approach. Descriptive statistics were used to analyse measures data and framework analysis to analyse interviews.
Setting: A specialist cancer centre, UK.
Participants: 11 in phase I and 21 in phase II. Participants were in cancer treatment, recovery or palliative care.
Primary and secondary outcome: Primary outcome: acceptability of the intervention, assessed by >60% uptake of three sessions. Secondary outcomes: impact on psychological well-being using EQ-5D/QLQ-C30, Profile of Mood Scale, Warwick and Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale, Depression and Anxiety Severity Scale 21, Self-Compassion Scale, Acceptance and Action Questionnaire and a locally developed questionnaire to capture self-compassion post use. Physiological impact was assessed by change in heart rate (HR)/HR variability and electrodermal activity (EDA).
Results: Twenty participants (mean age=48.7 years; SD=16.87); 65% (n=13) completed three sessions. Mental well-being improved following each use and from baseline to after session 3 (VR 1—z=2.846, p≤0.01; VR 2—z=2.501, p≤0.01; VR 3—z=2.492, p≤0.01). There was statistically significant difference in mean scores for EDA at mid-session and post session compared with pre session (F (1.658, 4.973)=13.364, p<0.05). There was statistically significant reduction in stress levels from baseline to post session 3. Participants found the intervention acceptable and highlighted areas for development.
Conclusion: The intervention is acceptable and feasible and has shown positive effects on mental well-being/stress in the oncology setting. Larger studies are needed to confirm findings.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: virtual reality, mental well-being, oncology
Subjects: Q Science > QA Mathematics > QA75 Electronic computers. Computer science
R Medicine > RT Nursing
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group: Faculty of Engineering & Science
Faculty of Engineering & Science > School of Computing & Mathematical Sciences (CMS)
Related URLs:
Last Modified: 04 Mar 2022 13:06
URI: http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/35174

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