Hello again, I am Mads, a psychologist and PhD student from Denmark who visited the AMETHYST team at Swinburne University earlier this year.
As you may recall from previous blog posts, I am involved with the CHALLENGE trial in Denmark which is testing virtual reality assisted therapy for voice-hearing. This is inspired by avatar therapy which was developed in the UK. In the AMETHYST trial, we use similar technology but deliver it via videoconferencing (Zoom), allowing us to reach people across Australia.
Today, I’ll share a video featuring some former CHALLENGE participants who have become ambassadors for the therapy. Heka VR, the developer of the software used in CHALLENGE, created this video to highlight their experiences. In the video, you'll meet Vibeke, Anne, and Cille, who all received virtual reality assisted therapy in the CHALLENGE trial.
They discuss their experiences with voice-hearing prior to therapy and what they learned from participating. They describe how they found out about the trial, their initial expectations and scepticism, and previous treatment services they tried. They also share their thoughts on creating a digital representation of one of the voices they heard (a so-called avatar) and offer advice on how to prepare for the therapy.
Vibeke: Suffered from anxiety related to speaking up against the avatar during therapy but persevered due to her desire to continue working with her voice-hearing. She told the avatar that what it said was untrue and that she did not want it in her life anymore. Now after therapy, Vibeke has been "free from voices" through three years. There is hope for people who hear voices, she says. Vibeke herself found this hope after 30 years of seeking treatment and now has a "new life." Her advice to others considering the therapy “It might be hard to go through the therapy, but see it as a path in the forest that you have to explore - you never know what you might find around the corner…”
Cille: Initially sceptical about what the therapy could offer her, she continued knowing there was a purpose in engaging in dialogue with the avatar. One of her most distressing voices reacted negatively, which indicated that the therapy was working according to Cille. Now, the voice is "singing and dancing almost every day". Cille says she could never have imagined such an outcome. Her advice to others, “Have friends or family around and a plan for what to do if the voice reacts negatively. And if you have this then: Just try it, I did not believe in it, but it worked wonders".
Anne: Although the therapy made her exhausted, she wanted to complete it. After finishing, she gained more control over the voices, could tell them to be quiet, and could focus on conversations with people. It was strange to have the voices be quiet after being used to them talking, Anne recounts. Her advice: “It may seem scary, difficult and weird but the things you get out of it is worth it, and "give it a try".
The video is made by Heka VR and can be accessed here:
Patient ambassador video: Patient ambassador video
In AMETHYST, half of the participants will receive avatar therapy similar to the CHALLENGE therapy but delivered via videoconferencing (Zoom). The other half will receive the standard therapy (a specialist form of cognitive behavioural therapy for people who hear voices), which is also delivered via videoconferencing (Zoom). AMETHYST is testing whether one is more effective than the other, and how the different therapies work for different people.
If you're interested in learning more about avatar therapy and the AMETHYST trial, please visit the ‘About’ pages of our website here.
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