RecoverCMS

TER078

Innovative Solutions for Treating Driving Anxiety Using Virtual Reality: The INSPIRE Feasibility and Pilot Trial

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Project Information
Project commenced
Recover Code
TER078
Title
Innovative Solutions for Treating Driving Anxiety Using Virtual Reality: The INSPIRE Feasibility and Pilot Trial
Recover Lead
Trevor Russell
Co-investigators
Trevor Russell (RECOVER), Rachel Elphinston (RECOVER), Robert Cuthbert (RECOVER), Joshua Simmich (RECOVER), Riley Brown (RECOVER), Michele Sterling (RECOVER)
Status
Project commenced
Stream
Technology-enabled rehabilitation + Improving health outcomes after musculoskeletal injury
CTP Relevance
To develop interventions
STARS
STARS-Facility Only (FO)
Ethical Clearance Number
--
Plans
No plans

Synopsis

This study will assess the feasibility, safety, and preliminary efficacy of using Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) in addition to Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) when compared to CBT alone for treating driving anxiety in individuals with lived experience of motor vehicle crashes (MVCs). This pilot and feasibility Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT) will recruit 30 adults with driving anxiety following MVCs. Participants will be randomly assigned to either CBT alone (Control) or CBT combined with VRET (intervention). The VRET intervention will be co-designed with consumers who have lived experience of driving anxiety and expert clinicians to ensure relevance and acceptability.

Milestones
Name Start Date Due Date Status Date Completed Notes Actions
1. Governance 01/07/2025 31/07/2025 In progress Ethics application submitted; approval pending following cli...
2. Staff recruitment and training 01/07/2025 31/07/2025 Completed 05/02/2026 Clinical Psychologist appointed; RA appointed
3. CBT Protocol Development 01/07/2025 31/12/2025 In progress Manual developed and ready for consumer feedback
4. VRET Intervention development 01/07/2025 31/12/2025 In progress VRET scenarios, VR content, and prototype system developed r...
5. Consumer workshops 01/09/2025 31/12/2025 In progress Consumers recruited; workshops scheduled Feb 2026
6. Recruitment and delivery of intervention 01/01/2026 31/12/2026 Not started
7. Follow-up measures 01/01/2027 31/03/2027 Not started
8. Data analysis 01/01/2027 30/04/2027 Not started
9. Write-up and dissemination 01/01/2027 30/06/2027 Not started
KT Plan
Communication and dissemination
Activity Status Date Planned Date Completed Notes Actions
Conference presentations (academic) Not started
Journal publication(s) Not started
Plain-language summaries (public + service users) Not started 23/05/2026
Research snapshots (one-page what we found / what to do) Not started
Policy and system influence
Activity Status Date Planned Date Completed Notes Actions
Briefings to health departments / insurers / peak bodies Not started
Stakeholder engagement and co-design
Activity Status Date Planned Date Completed Notes Actions
Co-design workshops (service users, clinicians, managers) Planned / Scheduled 03/03/2026
Project Progress
11 Feb 2026 9:53 AM

Clare Burns (Project Manager) commenced 05/02/2026

11 Feb 2026 9:53 AM

David Johnston (Clin Psych) commenced 12/01/2026

11 Feb 2026 9:52 AM

Ethics submitted 10/12/2025

Linked Grants
Linked Publications

No publications linked to this project.

Linked Presentations

No presentations linked to this project.

Linked KT Activities

No KT activities linked to this project.

Linked CCI Activities
Date Title Lead Author Notes Actions
2026-03-03 INSPIRE Workshop #1 Trevor Russell