Ask to take part

Contact the study team using the details below to take part. If there are no contact details below please ask your doctor in the first instance.

Contact Information:

Prof Daniel Freeman
daniel.freeman@psy.ox.ac.uk


Dr Eloise Prouten
eloise.prouten@psy.ox.ac.uk


Dr Julia Jones
julia.jones@psy.ox.ac.uk


Study Location:

Find another location


Questions to ask
Skip to Main Content

Help us improve the Be Part of Research website. Sign up to take part in online research.

Be Part of Research - Trial Details - gameChange VR: automated virtual therapy to help patients with psychosis reduce anxious avoidance of everyday situations
Back

gameChange VR: automated virtual therapy to help patients with psychosis reduce anxious avoidance of everyday situations

Recruiting

Open to: All Genders

Age: Mixed

Manchester Bodmin Bath Dudley Hull Oxford

Medical Conditions

Agoraphobic avoidance (severe) in patients with a diagnosis of psychosis

This information is provided directly by researchers, and we recognise that it isn't always easy to understand. We are working with researchers to improve the accessibility of this information. In some summaries, you may come across links to external websites. These websites will have more information to help you better understand the study.


This study aims to evaluate gameChange, a virtual reality (VR) treatment for people with psychosis, in real-world settings within the NHS. The goal is to help the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) decide whether to fully recommend gameChange for use in the NHS. The project is funded by the National Institute for Health and Social Care Research (NIHR) and supported by the Office for Life Sciences (OLS) and NICE.

Start dates may differ between countries and research sites. The research team are responsible for keeping the information up-to-date.  

The recruitment start and end dates are as follows:

01 May 2025 01 Nov 2026

Publications

2025 Protocol article in https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40819857/ (added 18/08/2025)

Participants will be divided into two groups: one group will start using gameChange immediately, while the other group will start after six months. gameChange involves using a VR headset to practice facing everyday situations with the guidance of a virtual therapist and support from mental health staff. Participants will typically have six sessions, but they can have more if needed.


The study will include individuals with psychosis who have severe fears and are often housebound. Participants will be selected from six NHS mental health trusts: Bristol, Cornwall, Humber, Manchester, Oxford, and West Midlands.

You can take part if:



You may not be able to take part if:


1. Photosensitive epilepsy. 2. In forensic settings or Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit.3. Command of spoken English inadequate for engaging in the therapy or assessments.4. A participant may also not enter the trial if there is another factor (for example, current active suicidal plans that need to be the focus of intervention), which, in the judgement of the investigator, would preclude the participant from providing informed consent or from safely engaging with the trial procedures. Reason for exclusion will be recorded.


Below are the locations for where you can take part in the trial. Please note that not all sites may be open.

  • Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
    Prestwich Hospital Bury New Road Prestwich
    Manchester
    M25 3BL
  • Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust
    Carew House Beacon Technology Park Dunmere Road
    Bodmin
    PL31 2QN
  • Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust
    Bath NHS House Newbridge Hill
    Bath
    BA1 3QE
  • Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
    Trafalgar House 47-49 King Street
    Dudley
    DY2 8PS
  • Humber Teaching NHS Foundation Trust
    Trust Hq, Block A, Willerby Hill Beverley Road Willerby
    Hull
    HU10 6FE
  • Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust
    Littlemore Mental Health Centre Sandford Road Littlemore
    Oxford
    OX4 4XN

The potential benefits include a significant reduction in fears related to everyday situations, especially for those with severe problems. This could lead to improved quality of life and greater independence. There are minimal risks, but some participants might find the VR experience challenging or uncomfortable at first.

Prof Daniel Freeman
daniel.freeman@psy.ox.ac.uk


Dr Julia Jones
julia.jones@psy.ox.ac.uk


Dr Eloise Prouten
eloise.prouten@psy.ox.ac.uk



The study is sponsored by University of Oxford and funded by National Institute for Health and Care Research.



We'd like your feedback

Your feedback is important to us. It will help us improve the quality of the study information on this site. Please answer both questions.


Is this study information helpful?

What will you do next?
Read full details for Trial ID: ISRCTN79060696

Or CPMS: 67294

Last updated 18 August 2025

This page is to help you find out about a research study and if you may be able to take part

You can print or share the study information with your GP/healthcare provider or contact the research team directly.   

Back to the top