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Reducing Stigma Toward People with Serious Mental Illness Through a Virtual Reality Intervention: A Randomized
Matías E Rodríguez-Rivas1, Adolfo J Cangas2, Andrés Martin3
1Facultad de Psicología, Universidad del Desarrollo, Santiago, Chile.
Games for Health Journal
|September 11, 2023
Summary
A virtual reality game, Inclúyete-VR, significantly reduced stigma toward individuals with serious mental illness (SMI) in a randomized controlled trial. This innovative intervention shows promise for improving public perception and encouraging help-seeking behaviors.
Area of Science:
- Mental Health Research
- Public Health Interventions
- Virtual Reality Applications
Background:
- Stigma against serious mental illnesses (SMI) is a global public health issue, hindering quality of life and professional help-seeking.
- Novel, scalable interventions are crucial to combat stigmatized perceptions of chronic psychotic disorders and their associated health burdens.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of an immersive virtual reality (VR) game, Inclúyete-VR, in reducing stigma toward individuals with SMI.
- To assess the impact of VR-based exposure to schizophrenia-related hallucinations and recovery resources on stigma levels.
Main Methods:
- A randomized controlled trial involving 124 university students assigned to either the Inclúyete-VR intervention or a control group.
- Participants experienced 25-minute VR sessions using Oculus headgear, with the experimental group exposed to simulated hallucinations and psychosocial resources.
- Mixed ANOVA was used to compare pre- and post-intervention stigma levels measured by the Attribution questionnaire (AQ-27).
Main Results:
- A significant intervention-by-time interaction was observed (P < 0.001).
- The experimental group showed significant reductions in overall stigma and its subscales: dangerousness-fear, avoidance, and lack of solidarity (P < 0.001 for all).
Conclusions:
- The Inclúyete-VR software demonstrated short-term efficacy in reducing stigma associated with serious mental illness.
- Further research is needed to determine the program's long-term effectiveness, scalability, and potential for widespread dissemination.
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