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About the study

This study is the result of a collaboration between the Virtual Reality Laboratory at Bar Ilan University, led by Prof. Sara Freedman and Prof. Pietro Cipresso from Milan, Italy. The project was funded by the Ministry of Science.

The purpose of the study

This study was born out of findings that indicate that about a third of people who need mental health care do not receive it. Developing technology-based tools and platforms may help make treatments accessible to people who need them and the current study seeks to test this.

Study Steps 

Step 1

 Introductory conversation

At the time of referral, there is a short introductory (telephone) call aimed at checking initial suitability.

Step 2

Clinical evaluation

Following the introductory call, a (longer) evaluation interview will be scheduled for each applicant with a clinician from the research team (a social worker trained for this position) with the aim of gathering information about your symptoms. This call will be online and requires a number of short questionnaires to be completed.

Step 3

The treatment phase

Therapy (described here) takes 10 weeks. There are two excellent options and we decide which one by a random assignment. Therapy will take place in clinics within Bar Ilan University, or at Kfar Shaul Hospital in Jerusalem.

Step 4

Clinical evaluation 

After the 10 therapy sessions, and again 6 months later, there will be another clinical evaluation similar to the one in the second phase.

Conditions for participation in the study

  • You're over 18 years old

  • You speak English or Hebrew

  • You have experienced a difficult event , or are facing difficulties due to a condition such as corona and you suffer from psychological symptoms such as difficulty sleeping, irritability and responses.

  • You don't have any other issues that requires immediate treatment.

  • You are not already receiving psychological therapy (we sometimes can accommodate this, after a conversation with your therapist ans signing a confidentiality waiver).

  • You do not suffer from epilepsy, severe visual disturbances, balance disorders, or disorders caused by watching computer / TV screens

Confidentiality, ethics and security

  • The full data set is available to principal investigators only. The subjects' details will be coded in the initial stages of research in order to maintain their privacy. All information collected will be stored in a secure "cloud".

  • The research team as a whole is committed to maintaining and adhering to professional ethical standards, including maintaining the privacy and well-being of the subjects. Participation in the study is voluntary and therefore any participant can end their participation at any stage.

  • The study received the required ethics approvals from Kfar Shaul Hospital Helsinki Committee.

  • The research team is committed to maintaining the safety of the subjects both medically and psychiatrically
     

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