Study: Virtual Reality Effective for Ketamine-Assisted Therapy
TRIPP, a leading XR wellness company, has successfully completed the Phase 1 Proof of Concept (POC) Feasibility Study for TRIPP PsyAssist. This groundbreaking study demonstrates the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) in helping patients prepare for ketamine-assisted therapy.
The research was conducted at the prestigious Kadima Neuropsychiatry Institute in San Diego, with analysis provided by Valis Biosciences. The Journal of Psychopharmacology has previously reported that 50% of participants who received ketamine treatment experienced significant improvement in their PTSD symptoms. While psychedelics are gaining recognition in mainstream medicine, patients still require support in managing pre-session anxiety, effective onboarding, and integration of their experiences after treatment, whether in a clinic or at home.
Phase 1 of the TRIPP PsyAssist study aimed to determine the feasibility and acceptability of guided meditative imagery delivered through virtual reality on the Pico Neo 3 Pro Eye headset as a pre-treatment program in a real-world clinical setting. Participants for the study were recruited from patients who had already given consent to receive ketamine treatments for depression or anxiety at Kadima. The study also evaluated participant satisfaction, engagement, and usage to assess the feasibility and acceptability of this approach before undergoing consciousness-altering experiences.
Key preliminary findings from the gathered data include:
80% of users reported wanting to use the system frequently.
100% of users found the various functions in the system well integrated.
90% of users imagine most people would learn to use this system quickly.
100% of users felt very confident using the system.
Results highlight the potential of VR-based interventions in supporting patients undergoing ketamine-assisted therapy. TRIPP's innovative approach using immersive technology holds promise for enhancing patient experiences and optimising treatment outcomes.
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