Virtual Perspectives in Psychosis: Investigating Embodied Virtual Reality Educational Interventions and Unpacking the Impact of Immersion on Participant Attrition

Hannah, Olivia (2025) Virtual Perspectives in Psychosis: Investigating Embodied Virtual Reality Educational Interventions and Unpacking the Impact of Immersion on Participant Attrition. Doctoral thesis, University of East Anglia.

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Abstract

In recent years, virtual reality (VR) has emerged as an innovative tool with a wide range of applications across various fields. VR has been increasingly explored as an approach for understanding and treating a range of mental health difficulties. One of the most striking uses of VR of interest to the current thesis is its application to psychosis, both in clinical and educational settings.

Whilst VR offers considerable potential in the treatment of psychosis, concerns remain regarding its acceptability, predominantly in relation to cybersickness and dropout rates. A systematic review and meta-analysis was therefore conducted, to compare dropout rates between two types of VR intervention, immersive and non-immersive, used to treat psychosis. The meta-analysis identified a pooled attrition rate from all VR interventions of 15% (95% CI 11, 20), alongside a dropout rate of 11.9% for immersive VR and 22.46% for non-immersive VR. This challenges the suggestion from previous research that cybersickness leads to higher attrition.

Given the impact that stigma can have on participant attrition, an empirical study was conducted to assess the feasibility of delivering a newly developed VR intervention, aimed to foster empathy and reduce stigma toward psychosis. Undergraduate health students from a UK university were recruited, and most participants experienced absent or mild cybersickness following its use and showed an increase in self-reported empathy and decrease in negative attitudes.

Limitations of the present research are discussed along with recommended future directions. In conclusion, this thesis demonstrates the promising application of VR as a tool for both the therapeutic treatment and reduction of stigma surrounding psychosis, despite the adverse effects of VR.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
Depositing User:	Chris White
Date Deposited:	27 Oct 2025 11:27
Last Modified:	27 Oct 2025 11:27
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/100777
DOI:

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