The CHALLENGE trial: Virtual reality assisted therapy for voices

We have been lucky to have Mads, a psychologist and PhD student, visiting us from Denmark. Mads is involved in a clinical trial called CHALLENGE. This trial is testing out a new type of therapy, for people who hear voices, which is very similar to the AMETHYST trial we are running here in Australia.  

The CHALLENGE trial in Denmark is testing out virtual reality assisted therapy. This is inspired by avatar therapy which was developed in the UK. However, CHALLENGE differs in using virtual reality technology. On the AMETHYST trial we are using the same technology but delivered via videoconferencing (zoom) without virtual reality, so that we can reach people across Australia. 

Mads' team was involved in creating this video with Sofie Olsen recounts, who shares her journey with therapy in the CHALLENGE trial: https://youtu.be/LEoktqh5B9U?t=813 

Mads will be sharing some of his insights on this blog soon too. The full results of the CHALLENGE trial are yet to be analysed and made available.

In the meantime, if you are interested in finding out more about the CHALLENGE trial you can check out the trial protocol here, which can be accessed or downloaded for free:

The CHALLENGE trial: the effects of a virtual reality-assisted exposure therapy for persistent auditory hallucinations versus supportive counselling in people with psychosis: study protocol for a randomised clinical trial | Trials | Full Text (biomedcentral.com)