Swansea University has launched a fully-funded PhD scholarship to research the effectiveness of Virtual Reality (VR) exposure therapy in treating Gambling Disorder (GD).
Gambling Disorder (GD) is diagnosed when an individual endorses at least four of the following criteria within the past year:
- Preoccupation with gambling
- Need to gamble with increasing amounts of money
- Unsuccessful attempts to stop or control gambling
- Restlessness or irritability when attempting to stop gambling
- Gambling as an escape from problems or negative mood
- Chasing losses
- Lying to conceal the extent of gambling involvement
- Jeopardizing or losing important opportunities
- Relying on others for financial bailouts
In Wales, gambling is a prevalent activity, with 63% of the population having gambled in the past year. Alarmingly, approximately 0.7% of these individuals—around 22,000 people—meet the threshold for Gambling Disorder. This statistic highlights the urgent need for effective treatments to address this growing issue.
Working alongside Prof. Simon Dymond within Swansea University’s School of Psychology, the studentship will focus on three main objectives:
- Developing and Evaluating 5G-Enabled VR Analogues: Creating VR scenarios that mimic gambling behaviours such as craving, cue reactivity, and loss chasing. These scenarios will be used in exposure therapy to help patients manage their gambling urges.
- Developing an Interface for Psychophysiological Indicators: Integrating measurements of physiological responses (e.g. heart rate, skin conductance) with 5G-VR systems to monitor and assess treatment efficacy in real-time.
- Exploring Commercial Partnerships and Funding: Identifying potential commercial partnerships and securing additional funding to expand the reach and impact of this innovative treatment approach.
Virtual Reality is emerging as a revolutionary tool in the treatment of Gambling Disorder. VR exposure therapy involves immersing patients in realistic, controlled environments where they can confront and manage their gambling triggers. This approach helps individuals recognise gambling cues and develop effective coping strategies.
Collaborating with Imersifi, the work will pioneer the use of VR and immersive screens in Swansea University’s Simulation Suite. This system aims to deliver a highly effective treatment for gambling disorder, with plans to eventually develop an app version for greater accessibility.
5G connectivity has the potential to transform the delivery and effectiveness of VR-based treatments, by enhancing the mobility of the treatment, allowing for at-home therapy sessions that maintain the accessibility of VR treatment. Furthermore, 5G will enable real-time evaluation of treatment effectiveness, providing instant feedback and allowing for rapid adjustments to therapy protocols.
The deadline to apply is 19 October 2024 and the scholarship will begin in January 2025.