Determining the acceptability of using VR headsets for
individuals with a Learning Disability in healthcare
settings”
Mr Matthew Perryman RNLD – JPUH QI, research and service evaluation scholar 23/24 &
Community Learning disability Nurse – NCH&C NHS trust community learning disability team East Norfolk
Background
A public health England (PHE) report (2017),
‘Blood tests for people with learning disabilities:
making reasonable adjustments’, highlights that
‘many people with Learning disabilities are
afraid of needles for good reason’ including
‘forced use of needles’ and use of restraint
used to complete procedures. The report also
highlights that there is ‘little research and
policy’ in this area to understand the wider
issues related to this topic although there is a
wide range of good practice recommendations
available to practitioners to enable successful
blood tests.
Literature searches indicate that including a
Virtual reality intervention for Childrens blood
tests has had positive outcomes in reducing
anxiety, stress and noted pain reduction
aspects with improved patient experience.
Aims
• To develop a safe and user-friendly Virtual
reality session for people with a learning
disability.
• To gather the views of participants to inform
whether using virtual reality as a reasonable
adjustment is a viable option for use in
healthcare settings..
Methodology
• Quality Improvement project which would look
at finding out the views of people with a
learning disability about virtual reality.
• Research and acquire appropriate virtual
reality equipment
• Seek advice, feedback and guidance from
people with a learning disability, family/carers
and colleagues about developing a safe and
effective Virtual reality ‘taster desensitization’
session and effective results questionnaire.
Matt.Perryman@nchc.nhs.uk
Results
• 15 potential participants were identified from current
Community Learning Disability Team East Norfolk caseloads.
• 7 females and 8 males.
• Of those 15, 3 participants decided they didn’t want to take part in
the VR session questionnaire following demonstration of the
equipment
• 12 participants took part in a VR session and completed an
accompanying questionnaire.
Recommendations
• Further development of co-produced content which
is learning disability friendly.
• Further development of content that would support
people with a learning disability to access de-
sensitization of healthcare settings and procedures
prior to appointments and/or procedures
• Further research with people with a learning
disability into the potential of Virtual reality in
improving access to healthcare and improving
patient experience.
• Continue to link with wider local and national
Learning disability networks who are implementing
similar virtual reality projects and support continued
data collection.
Discussion
Results and feedback from the virtual reality
sessions suggest that a virtual reality experience
can be an enjoyable one for people with a learning
disability and have added positive benefits that
could aid a healthcare professional in providing
interactions and interventions that are ‘calming, fun,
safe and relaxing’.
The relatively high number of participants who had
never tried Virtual reality before (83%) suggests that
a ‘taster desensitization session’, such as that used
in this project, can enable positive outcomes and a
positive attitude about virtual reality.
Exciting testimony from colleagues at Leeds
University hospital suggest VR is already being
used to good effect to improve blood test
experiences for people with a learning disability
Acknowledgements
Study supported with thanks to Marcus
Hayward,, colleagues in the CLDT East and
Lynne Fanning (NCH&C).