Efficacy and experience of system constellations in virtual reality (VR): study protocol for a randomized controlled...

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry and Psychology
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Mental Health Research

Background:

• System Constellations (SCs) are utilized in various therapeutic and organizational settings, despite limited evidence.
• A single randomized controlled trial (RCT) exists for in-person SCs, highlighting a research gap.
• This study addresses the need for research on SCs delivered via Virtual Reality (VR).

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the feasibility and acceptability of a VR-based RCT for System Constellations (SC-VR).
• To estimate effect sizes for SC-VR interventions to inform a larger confirmatory RCT.
• To evaluate the potential of SC-VR for psychological and social system functioning.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, monocentric, parallel-group, feasibility RCT involving 128 participants randomized to an intervention or wait-list group.
• Assessment of feasibility, acceptability, and effect sizes using qualitative and quantitative data.
• Primary outcome: SC-VR adherence; Secondary outcomes: psychological functioning, social system functioning, distress, motivational incongruence, and goal attainment.

Main Results:

• The study is expected to be the first to assess the feasibility of SC-VR.
• Data will inform recommendations for the design, rationale, and analysis of future SC-VR studies.
• Efficacy trends will be derived to calculate the sample size for a confirmatory RCT.

Conclusions:

• This feasibility study will provide crucial insights into implementing SC-VR within an RCT framework.
• Recommendations will be made for optimizing SC-VR research methodology and intervention delivery.
• The findings will determine the viability and resource allocation for a full-scale confirmatory RCT on SC-VR.