UniVRse: protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial of virtual reality cognitive-behaviour therapy for students with social anxiety

Hazell, C.M., Malinowski, J., Edwards, B., Gómez Bergin, A.D., Berry, C., Flynn, M., Smyth, N. and Birkett, J. 2026. UniVRse: protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial of virtual reality cognitive-behaviour therapy for students with social anxiety. Pilot and Feasibility Studies. 12 25. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-026-01771-4

TitleUniVRse: protocol for a pilot randomised controlled trial of virtual reality cognitive-behaviour therapy for students with social anxiety
TypeJournal article
AuthorsHazell, C.M., Malinowski, J., Edwards, B., Gómez Bergin, A.D., Berry, C., Flynn, M., Smyth, N. and Birkett, J.
Abstract

Background
Social anxiety is prevalent amongst university students. Cognitive-behaviour therapy (CBT), and graded exposure techniques in particular, is an effective intervention for social anxiety. However, there are a number of barriers preventing the delivery of CBT to students who are socially anxious. Delivering this intervention using virtual reality (VR) can address these implementation issues. We have co-developed with a group of students a VR-CBT intervention (UniVRse) specifically for members of this student group with social anxiety.

Methods/design
The present study is a pilot randomised controlled trial conducted in the United Kingdom of the UniVRse intervention compared to a wait-list control group. The aim of the trial is to determine whether a definitive trial is justified by assessing study recruitment, retention, and acceptability, as well as establishing the effect size on the co-primary outcomes for the definitive trial sample size calculation. We aim to recruit 90 socially anxious students—45 in each trial arm. The trial will adopt a mixed-methods approach. We will collect quantitative data at baseline (T0) and post-intervention 6 weeks later (T1). We will invite participants randomised to the intervention arm to complete a qualitative exit interview.

Discussion
The results of this pilot trial will be used to determine whether a definitive trial is justified, and to inform the refinement of the UniVRse programme and trial procedures. In the longer term, the UniVRse intervention has the potential to be an effective and accessible psychological intervention for students with social anxiety.

Article number25
JournalPilot and Feasibility Studies
Journal citation12
ISSN2055-5784
Year2026
PublisherSpringer Nature
Publisher's version
License
CC BY 4.0
File Access Level
Open (open metadata and files)
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-026-01771-4
Publication dates
Published05 Feb 2026

Related outputs

Preprint: Examining Motivations for Video Gaming, Stress, and Wellbeing in Pandemic Conditions: A Dual-Theoretical Approach.
George Farmer, Tom Buchanan, Nina Smyth and Tina Cartwright 2026. Preprint: Examining Motivations for Video Gaming, Stress, and Wellbeing in Pandemic Conditions: A Dual-Theoretical Approach. PsyArXiv. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/6xcrf_v1

Deconstructing the Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR): post-peak decline predicts health vulnerability in healthy females
Smyth, N., Thorn, L., Flynn, M., Clow, A. and Evans, P. 2026. Deconstructing the Cortisol Awakening Response (CAR): post-peak decline predicts health vulnerability in healthy females. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 188 107833. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2026.107833

Co‐Creating Publicly Available Resources to Increase Awareness of and Support for Long Covid Among Ethnic Minority Communities
Smyth, Nina, Ahmad, Ammarah, Begum, Samina, Chaudhry, Ashish, Clark, Sophie, Wright, Alexa, Gimblett, Karl, Ridge, Damien, Chew‐Graham, Carolyn A., Gopal, Dipesh, Alwan, Nisreen A. and Kingstone, Tom 2026. Co‐Creating Publicly Available Resources to Increase Awareness of and Support for Long Covid Among Ethnic Minority Communities. Health Expectations. 29 (2) e70596. https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.70596

Intersectionality and Long COVID: Understanding the Lived Experiences of Ethnic Minority Groups in the UK
Lotankar, Y., Cheshire, A., Ridge, Damien T., Chew-Graham, C., Smyth, N., Knowles, C., Gopal, D. and Kingstone, T. 2025. Intersectionality and Long COVID: Understanding the Lived Experiences of Ethnic Minority Groups in the UK. Health Expectations. 28 (5) e70413. https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.70413

The longitudinal impact of low-dose morphine on diurnal cortisol profiles in people with chronic breathlessness and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): an exploratory study
Ferreira, D.H., Ryan, R., Smyth, N., Clow, A. and Currow, D.C. 2025. The longitudinal impact of low-dose morphine on diurnal cortisol profiles in people with chronic breathlessness and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): an exploratory study. Respiratory Research. 26 156. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12931-025-03230-9

Understanding how doctoral researchers perceive research supervision to impact their mental health and well-being
Hazell, C.M., Berry, C., Heywood, D., Birkett, J., Mackenzie, J.-M. and Niven, J. 2025. Understanding how doctoral researchers perceive research supervision to impact their mental health and well-being. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research. 25 (1) e12762. https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.12762

An investigation into the relationship between stress mindset and stress responses: The role of coping mechanisms
Belevegka, A. and Smyth, N. 2024. An investigation into the relationship between stress mindset and stress responses: The role of coping mechanisms. Psychology. 29 (2), pp. 349-366. https://doi.org/10.12681/psy_hps.39610

Experiences of participating in cortisol awakening response research: “I was more conscious than usual, I wanted to get it right”
Ramachandran, N., Smyth, N., Joban, S., Flynn, M., Clow, A. and Thorn, L. 2024. Experiences of participating in cortisol awakening response research: “I was more conscious than usual, I wanted to get it right”. Comprehensive Psychoneuroendocrinology. 20 100276. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpnec.2024.100276

Supporting Long Covid Care: a webtool to facilitate help-seeking among people with Long Covid
Clutterbuck, D., Smyth, N., Begum, F., Chew-Graham, C., Mcgowan, A., Pantelic, M., Ridge, D., Tran, H., Williams, R. and Alwan, N.A. 2024. Supporting Long Covid Care: a webtool to facilitate help-seeking among people with Long Covid. European Journal of Public Health. 34 (Supplement_3). https://doi.org/10.1093/eurpub/ckae144.1822

Long COVID and Health Inequalities: What's Next for Research and Policy Advocacy?
Baz, S., Woodrow, M., Clutterbuck, D., Fang, C., Mullard, J., Banerjee, A., Barley‐McMullen, S., Carpentieri, J., Donskoy, A., Faux‐Nightingale, A., Lewis‐Jackson, S., O'Hara, M., Rai, T., Sherwood, O., Smyth, N., Stanley, Kirsty, Welsh, V., Mir, G. and Alwan, N. 2024. Long COVID and Health Inequalities: What's Next for Research and Policy Advocacy? Health Expectations. 27 (5) e70047. https://doi.org/10.1111/hex.70047

Decolonising the Psychology Curriculum: A Toolkit Approach
Husbands, D. and Birkett, J. 2024. Decolonising the Psychology Curriculum: A Toolkit Approach. in: Culturally Sensitive Curricula Scales Switzerland Palgrave Macmillan. pp. 79-93

Sensitisation of Visually Induced Motion Sickness by Prior Provocative Physical Motion
Golding, J.F., Alund, D., Gresty, M.A. and Flynn, M. 2024. Sensitisation of Visually Induced Motion Sickness by Prior Provocative Physical Motion. Aerospace Medicine & Human Performance. 95 (10), pp. 741-748. https://doi.org/10.3357/AMHP.6481.2024

People from ethnic minorities seeking help for Long Covid: a qualitative study.
Nina Smyth, Damien Ridge, Tom Kingstone, Dipesh P Gopal, Nisreen Alwan, Alexa Wright, Ashish Chaudhry, Sophie Clark, Rebecca Band and Carolyn A. Chew-Graham 2024. People from ethnic minorities seeking help for Long Covid: a qualitative study. British Journal of General Practice. 74 (749), pp. e814-e822. https://doi.org/10.3399/bjgp.2023.0631

“We make something with the flower, but feel like I make with myself something”: The role of a community arts project supporting women who have experienced human trafficking
Birkett, J. and Cheshire, A. 2024. “We make something with the flower, but feel like I make with myself something”: The role of a community arts project supporting women who have experienced human trafficking. Journal of Community Psychology. 52 (1), pp. 244-257. https://doi.org/10.1002/jcop.23095

Pilot evaluation of a brief training video aimed at reducing mental health stigma amongst emergency first responders (the ENHANcE II study)
Hazell, C.M., Fielding-Smith, S., Koc, Y. and Hayward, M. 2024. Pilot evaluation of a brief training video aimed at reducing mental health stigma amongst emergency first responders (the ENHANcE II study). Journal of Mental Health. 33 (5), pp. 587-595. https://doi.org/10.1080/09638237.2022.2069707

The spectrum of care within a university context: the differing roles of carers in supporting students who self-harm
Edwards-Bailey, Laura, Smyth, Nina, Cartwright, Tina and Mackenzie, Jay-Marie 2023. The spectrum of care within a university context: the differing roles of carers in supporting students who self-harm. International Journal of Care and Caring. 7 (4), pp. 708-734. https://doi.org/10.1332/239788221x16890865425257

A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies exploring prevalence of non-specific anxiety in undergraduate university students.
Ahmed, Irtiqa, Hazell, Cassie M, Edwards, Bethany, Glazebrook, Cris and Davies, E Bethan 2023. A systematic review and meta-analysis of studies exploring prevalence of non-specific anxiety in undergraduate university students. BMC Psychiatry. 23 (1) 240. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-023-04645-8

Predictors of UK postgraduate researcher attendance behaviours and mental health-related attrition intention.
Berry, C., Niven, J. and Hazell, C.M. 2023. Predictors of UK postgraduate researcher attendance behaviours and mental health-related attrition intention. Current Psychology. 42, pp. 30521-30534. https://doi.org/10.1007/s12144-022-04055-1

A qualitative exploration of student self-harm and experiences of support-seeking within a UK university setting
Edwards-Bailey, L., Cartwright, T., Smyth, N. and Mackenzie, J.-M. 2023. A qualitative exploration of student self-harm and experiences of support-seeking within a UK university setting. Counselling Psychology Quarterly. 36 (4), pp. 638-662. https://doi.org/10.1080/09515070.2022.2146054

The psychological therapy preferences of patients who hear voices
Berry, C., Baloc, A-I., Fowler, D., Jones, A-M., Hazell, C.M. and Hayward, M. 2023. The psychological therapy preferences of patients who hear voices. Psychosis. 15 (1), pp. 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1080/17522439.2022.2095000

Editorial: Nature-based social prescriptions for improving health and wellbeing
Wood, C., Chalmin-Pui, Lauriane Suyin, Smyth, N. and Rajcani, Jakub 2022. Editorial: Nature-based social prescriptions for improving health and wellbeing. Frontiers in Psychology. 13 1095064.

Evaluation and update of the expert consensus guidelines for the assessment of the cortisol awakening response (CAR).
Stalder, Tobias, Lupien, Sonia J., Kudielka, Brigitte M., Adam, Emma K., Pruessner, Jens C., Wüst, Stefan, Dockray, Samantha, Smyth, Nina, Evans, Phil, Kirschbaum, Clemens, Miller, Robert, Wetherell, Mark A., Finke, Johannes B., Klucken, Tim and Clow, Angela 2022. Evaluation and update of the expert consensus guidelines for the assessment of the cortisol awakening response (CAR). Psychoneuroendocrinology. 146, p. 105946. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2022.105946

Exploring the lived experience of Long Covid in black and minority ethnic groups in the UK: Protocol for qualitative interviews and art-based methods
Smyth, N., Alwan, N., Band, R., Chaudhry A, Chew-Graham, C., Gopal, D., Jackson, M., Kingston, T., Wright, A. and Ridge, Damien T. 2022. Exploring the lived experience of Long Covid in black and minority ethnic groups in the UK: Protocol for qualitative interviews and art-based methods. PLoS ONE. 17 (10) e0275166. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0275166

Creating a hierarchy of mental health stigma: testing the effect of psychiatric diagnosis on stigma
Hazell, C.M., Berry, C., Bogen-Johnston, L. and Banerjee, M. 2022. Creating a hierarchy of mental health stigma: testing the effect of psychiatric diagnosis on stigma. BJPsych Open. 8 (5) e174. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2022.578

Is it time to change the approach of mental health stigma campaigns? An experimental investigation of the effect of campaign wording on stigma and help-seeking intentions
Hazell, C.M., Fixsen, Alison and Berry, C. 2022. Is it time to change the approach of mental health stigma campaigns? An experimental investigation of the effect of campaign wording on stigma and help-seeking intentions. PLoS ONE. 17 (8) e0273254. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0273254

Increased Wellbeing following Engagement in a Group Nature-Based Programme: The Green Gym Programme Delivered by the Conservation Volunteers
Smyth, N., Thorn, L., Wood, C., Hall, D. and Lister, C. 2022. Increased Wellbeing following Engagement in a Group Nature-Based Programme: The Green Gym Programme Delivered by the Conservation Volunteers. Healthcare. 10 (6) e978. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare10060978

The cognitive-phenomenological assessment of delusions and hallucinations at the early intervention in psychosis service stage: The results of a quality improvement project
Isaacson, Maria, Hazell, Cassie M., Cape, John, Hickson, Emily, Islam, Faaizah, Gill, Amber, Simon, Kathleen, Patel, Ruchit, Souray, Jonathan and Raune, David 2022. The cognitive-phenomenological assessment of delusions and hallucinations at the early intervention in psychosis service stage: The results of a quality improvement project. Early Intervention in Psychiatry. 16 (12), pp. 1345-1352. https://doi.org/10.1111/eip.13283

A Systematic Review of the Effects of Urban Living on Suicidality and Self-Harm in the UK and Ireland
Satherley, R. M., Hazell, C.M., Jones, C. J. and Hanna, P 2022. A Systematic Review of the Effects of Urban Living on Suicidality and Self-Harm in the UK and Ireland. Journal of Urban Health. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11524-022-00611-z

A cross-sectional study of auditory verbal hallucinations experienced by people with a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder
Hayward M, Jones, A M, Strawson, W H, Quadt, L, Larsson, D E O, Silva, M, Davies, G, Fielding-Smith, S, Hazell, C.M., Critchley, H D and Garfinkel, S N 2022. A cross-sectional study of auditory verbal hallucinations experienced by people with a diagnosis of borderline personality disorder. Clinical Psychology & Psychotherapy. 29 (2), pp. 631-641. https://doi.org/10.1002/cpp.2655

The Staff Views About Assessing Voices Questionnaire: Piloting a Novel Socratic Method of Evaluating and Training Multidisciplinary Staff's Cognitive Assessment of Patients' Distressing Voices.
Raune, David, Perkins, Sarah, Paradisopoulos, Daphne, Zsofia Bote, Orsoyla, Skacel, Patricia, Souray, Jonathan and Hazell, C. 2022. The Staff Views About Assessing Voices Questionnaire: Piloting a Novel Socratic Method of Evaluating and Training Multidisciplinary Staff's Cognitive Assessment of Patients' Distressing Voices. Journal of Cognitive Psychotherapy. 35 (1). https://doi.org/10.1891/JCPSY-D-20-00021

Do carers of adolescents at first episode psychosis have distinctive psychological needs? A pilot exploration
McKenna, A., Hazell, C.M., Souray, R., Cai, E., Man, L.C., Brown, L., Floyd, C., Lyons, N., Widuch, K., James, G., Keay, D., Souray, J., Afsharzadegan, R. and Raune, D. 2022. Do carers of adolescents at first episode psychosis have distinctive psychological needs? A pilot exploration. International Journal of Social Psychiatry. 68 (3), pp. 600-609. https://doi.org/10.1177/0020764021992828

A cross-sectional study of physical activity behaviour and associations with wellbeing during the UK coronavirus lockdown
Wood, C., Barton, J. and Smyth, N. 2022. A cross-sectional study of physical activity behaviour and associations with wellbeing during the UK coronavirus lockdown. Journal of Health Psychology. 27 (6), pp. 1432-1444. https://doi.org/10.1177/1359105321999710

Nationwide assessment of the mental health of UK Doctoral Researchers
Hazell, C.M., Niven, J. E., Chapman, L, Roberts, P. E., Cartwright-Hatton, S, Valeix, S and Berry, C 2021. Nationwide assessment of the mental health of UK Doctoral Researchers. Humanities and Social Sciences Communications. 8 305. https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-021-00983-8

Personal, social and relational predictors of UK postgraduate researcher mental health problems
Berry, C., Niven J.E. and Hazell, C.M. 2021. Personal, social and relational predictors of UK postgraduate researcher mental health problems. BJPsych Open. 7 (6), p. e205. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2021.1041

Measurement practices in hallucinations research
Smailes, D., Alderson-Day, B., Hazell, C.M., Wright, A. and Moseley, P. 2021. Measurement practices in hallucinations research. Cognitive Neuropsychiatry. 27 (2-3), pp. 183-198. https://doi.org/10.1080/13546805.2021.1999224

Understanding suicidality and reasons for living amongst Doctoral Researchers: A thematic analysis of qualitative U-DOC survey data
Hazell, C.M., Berry, C., Niven, J. E. and Mackenzie, J.-M. 2021. Understanding suicidality and reasons for living amongst Doctoral Researchers: A thematic analysis of qualitative U-DOC survey data. Counselling and Psychotherapy Research. 21 (4), pp. 757-767. https://doi.org/10.1002/capr.12437

Increasing access to cognitive–behavioural therapy for patients with psychosis by evaluating the feasibility of a randomised controlled trial of brief, targeted cognitive–behavioural therapy for distressing voices delivered by assistant psychologists: the GiVE2 trial
Hayward, M., Berry, K., Bremner, S., Jones, A., Robertson, S., Cavanagh, K., Gage, H., Berry, C., Neumann, S., Hazell, C.M., Fowler, D., Greenwood, K. and Strauss, C. 2021. Increasing access to cognitive–behavioural therapy for patients with psychosis by evaluating the feasibility of a randomised controlled trial of brief, targeted cognitive–behavioural therapy for distressing voices delivered by assistant psychologists: the GiVE2 trial. BJPsych Open. 7 e152. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2021.983

Enhancing mental health awareness in emergency services (the ENHANcE I project): cross-sectional survey on mental health stigma among emergency services staff
Hazell, C.M., Koc, Y, O'Brien, S, Fielding-Smith, S and Hayward, M 2021. Enhancing mental health awareness in emergency services (the ENHANcE I project): cross-sectional survey on mental health stigma among emergency services staff. BJPsych Open. 7 (3) e77. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2021.37

A mixed-methods investigation of mental health stigma, absenteeism and presenteeism among UK postgraduate researchers
Berry, C., Niven, J.E., Chapman, L., Valeix, S., Roberts, P.E. and Hazell, C.M. 2021. A mixed-methods investigation of mental health stigma, absenteeism and presenteeism among UK postgraduate researchers. Studies in Graduate and Postgraduate Education. 12 (1), pp. 145-170. https://doi.org/10.1108/SGPE-06-2020-0034

Smaller Cortisol Awakening Responses Are Associated with Greater Visual Dependence in Postural Control
Smyth, N., Milani, M., Thorn, L., Flynn, M., Golding, J.F., Evans, P. and Clow, A. 2021. Smaller Cortisol Awakening Responses Are Associated with Greater Visual Dependence in Postural Control. Healthcare. 9 (6) 723. https://doi.org/10.3390/healthcare9060723

Enhancing mental health awareness in emergency services (the ENHANcE I project): cross-sectional survey on mental health stigma among emergency services staff.
Hazell, Cassie M, Koc, Yasin, O'Brien, Sorcha, Fielding-Smith, Sarah and Hayward, M. 2021. Enhancing mental health awareness in emergency services (the ENHANcE I project): cross-sectional survey on mental health stigma among emergency services staff. BJPsych Open. 7 (3), p. e77. https://doi.org/10.1192/bjo.2021.37

Added Value Report: University of Westminster Transformation in Students Project
Linceviciute, S., Ridge, Damien T., Smyth, N., Cartwright, T., Sebah, I., Bryant, K. and Woolston, J. 2021. Added Value Report: University of Westminster Transformation in Students Project. London University of Westminster. https://doi.org/10.34737/v4qqx

An inverted U-shaped relationship between cortisol awakening response and same-day error monitoring function in healthy males
Shi, X., Wu, J. and Smyth, N. 2021. An inverted U-shaped relationship between cortisol awakening response and same-day error monitoring function in healthy males. Biological Psychology. 160 108052. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopsycho.2021.108052

Working conditions and wellbeing in UK social workers
Ravalier, J., Wainwright, E., Clabburn, O. and Smyth, N. 2021. Working conditions and wellbeing in UK social workers. Journal of Social Work. 21 (5), pp. 1105-1123. https://doi.org/10.1177/1468017320949361

It made me feel brighter in myself”- The health and well-being impacts of a residential front garden horticultural intervention
Chalmin-Pui, L.S., Roe, J., Griffiths, A., Smyth, N., Heaton, T., Clayden, A. and Cameron, R. 2021. It made me feel brighter in myself”- The health and well-being impacts of a residential front garden horticultural intervention. Landscape and Urban Planning. 205 103958. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landurbplan.2020.103958

Co-Creating and Evaluating an App-Based Well-Being Intervention: The HOW (Healthier Outcomes at Work) Social Work Project
Ravalier, J., Wainwright, Elaine, Smyth, N., Clabburn, Oliver, Wegrzynek, Paulina and Loon, Mark 2020. Co-Creating and Evaluating an App-Based Well-Being Intervention: The HOW (Healthier Outcomes at Work) Social Work Project. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 17 (23), p. e8730. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17238730

Patient experience of Guided self-help CBT intervention for VoicEs (GiVE) delivered within a pilot randomized controlled trial
Hazell, C.M., Kelly, O., O'Brien, S., Strauss, C., Cavanagh, K. and Hayward, M. 2020. Patient experience of Guided self-help CBT intervention for VoicEs (GiVE) delivered within a pilot randomized controlled trial. Cognitive Behaviour Therapist. 13 e40. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1754470X20000458

Salivary Bioscience, Human Stress and the Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal Axis
Smyth, N. 2020. Salivary Bioscience, Human Stress and the Hypothalamic–Pituitary–Adrenal Axis. in: Granger D. and Taylor M. (ed.) Salivary Bioscience Springer. pp. 89-114

Understanding the mental health of doctoral researchers: a mixed methods systematic review with meta-analysis and meta-synthesis.
Hazell, C.M., Chapman, Laura, Valeix, Sophie F, Roberts, Paul, Niven, Jeremy E and Berry, Clio 2020. Understanding the mental health of doctoral researchers: a mixed methods systematic review with meta-analysis and meta-synthesis. Systematic Reviews. 9 (1), p. 197 197. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13643-020-01443-1

Service evaluation of a sole-session psychoeducational intervention to improve caregivers’ key illness beliefs after first episode psychosis (FEP)
Hazell, C. M., Lyons, N, Owumere, J, Schulz, J, Glover, N, Whittaker, S, Chu Man, L, Floyd, C, Brown, L, James, G, Afshardazegan, R, Seneviratne, S, Rahim, S, Souray, J and Raune, D 2020. Service evaluation of a sole-session psychoeducational intervention to improve caregivers’ key illness beliefs after first episode psychosis (FEP). Cognitive Behaviour Therapist. 13 carers. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1754470X20000264

Is the content of patient’s written emotional disclosure associated with improved health outcomes for asthma patients?
Hazell, C. M., Jones, J. C., McLachlan, E. M. and Smith, H. E. 2020. Is the content of patient’s written emotional disclosure associated with improved health outcomes for asthma patients? Health Psychology Update. 29 (2), pp. 31-42.

Nursing assistants’ experiences of administering manual restraint for compulsory nasogastric feeding of young persons with anorexia nervosa
Kodua, M., Mackenzie, J.-M. and Smyth, N. 2020. Nursing assistants’ experiences of administering manual restraint for compulsory nasogastric feeding of young persons with anorexia nervosa. International Journal of Mental Health Nursing. 29 (6), pp. 1181-1191. https://doi.org/10.1111/inm.12758

The effect of the visual exercise environment on the response to psychological stress: a pilot study
Wood, C., Flynn, M., Law, R., Naufahu, J. and Smyth, N. 2020. The effect of the visual exercise environment on the response to psychological stress: a pilot study. Anxiety, Stress and Coping. 33 (6), pp. 716-729. https://doi.org/10.1080/10615806.2020.1770231

Effectiveness of stress relieving strategies in regulating patterns of cortisol secretion and promoting brain health
Smyth, N., Rossi, E. and Wood, C. 2020. Effectiveness of stress relieving strategies in regulating patterns of cortisol secretion and promoting brain health. in: Clow, A. and Smyth, N. (ed.) Stress and Brain Health Across the Life Course UK Elsevier. pp. 219-246

Hanging in the balance: Conceptualising doctoral researcher mental health as a dynamic balance across key tensions characterising the PhD experience
Berry, C, Valeix, S, Niven, J.E., Chapman, L., Roberts, P.E. and Hazell, C.M. 2020. Hanging in the balance: Conceptualising doctoral researcher mental health as a dynamic balance across key tensions characterising the PhD experience. International Journal of Educational Research. 102, p. 101575 101575. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijer.2020.101575

Demographic predictors of wellbeing in Carers of people with psychosis: secondary analysis of trial data
Hazell, C.M., Hayward, M., Lobban, F., Pandey, A., Pinfold, V., Smith, H.E. and Jones, C.J. 2020. Demographic predictors of wellbeing in Carers of people with psychosis: secondary analysis of trial data. BMC Psychiatry. 20 269. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12888-020-02691-0

Assessing the Effectiveness of Automated Emotion Recognition in Adults and Children for Clinical Investigation
Flynn, M., Effraimidis, D., Angelopoulou, A., Kapetanios, E., Williams, D., Hemanth, J. and Towell, T. 2020. Assessing the Effectiveness of Automated Emotion Recognition in Adults and Children for Clinical Investigation. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience. 14 70. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2020.00070

Salivary cortisol as a non-invasive window on the brain
Smyth, N. 2020. Salivary cortisol as a non-invasive window on the brain. in: Clow, A. and Smyth, N. (ed.) Stress and Brain Health: Across the Life Course Elsevier. pp. 1-16

Psychological stress reactivity and future health and disease outcomes: A systematic review of prospective evidence
Turner, A.I., Smyth, N., Hall, S.J., Torres, S.J., Hussein, M., Jayasinghe, S.U., Ball, K. and Clow, A. 2020. Psychological stress reactivity and future health and disease outcomes: A systematic review of prospective evidence. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 114 104599. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2020.104599

Helping parents to help children overcome fear: The influence of a short video tutorial
Ewing, D., Pike, A., Dash, S., Hughes, Z., Thompson, E.J., Hazell, C., Ang, C.M., Kucuk, N., Laine, A. and Cartwright‐Hatton, S. 2020. Helping parents to help children overcome fear: The influence of a short video tutorial. British Journal of Clinical Psychology. 59 (1), pp. 80-95. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjc.12233

The health impact of nature exposure and green exercise across the life course: a pilot study
Wood, C. and Smyth, N. 2020. The health impact of nature exposure and green exercise across the life course: a pilot study. International Journal of Environmental Health Research. 30 (2), pp. 226-235. https://doi.org/10.1080/09603123.2019.1593327

The Current and Retrospective Intentional Nature Exposure Scales: Development and Factorial Validity
Wood, C., Barron, D. and Smyth, N. 2019. The Current and Retrospective Intentional Nature Exposure Scales: Development and Factorial Validity. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 16 (22) 4443. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16224443

The Blurred Line between Physical Ageing and Mental Health in Older Adults: Implications for the Measurement of Depression
Hazell, C., Smith, Helen E and Jones, C. 2019. The Blurred Line between Physical Ageing and Mental Health in Older Adults: Implications for the Measurement of Depression. Clinical Medicine Insights: Psychiatry. 10. https://doi.org/10.1177/1179557319885634

Barriers to recruiting and retaining psychosis carers: a case study on the lessons learned from the Caring for Caregivers (C4C) trial
Hazell, C.M., Jones, C.J., Pandey, A and Smith, H.E 2019. Barriers to recruiting and retaining psychosis carers: a case study on the lessons learned from the Caring for Caregivers (C4C) trial. BMC Research Notes. 12, p. 810 810. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13104-019-4832-9

Endurance exercise reduces cortisol in Parkinson's disease with mild cognitive impairment
Smyth, N., Skender, E., David, F.J., Munoz, M.J., Fantozzi, G., Clow, A., Goldman, J.G. and Corcos, D.M. 2019. Endurance exercise reduces cortisol in Parkinson's disease with mild cognitive impairment. Movement Disorders. 34 (8), pp. 1238-1239. https://doi.org/10.1002/mds.27719

Attenuated cortisol reactivity to psychosocial stress is associated with greater visual dependency in postural control
Smyth, N., Flynn, M., Rajcani, J., Hucklebridge, F., Thorn, L., Wood, C., Golding, J., Evans, P. and Clow, A. 2019. Attenuated cortisol reactivity to psychosocial stress is associated with greater visual dependency in postural control . Psychoneuroendocrinology. 104, pp. 185-190. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2019.02.028

Salience versus magnitude in the measurement of the cortisol awakening response
Evans, P., Smyth, N., Thorn, L., Hucklebridge, F. and Clow, A. 2019. Salience versus magnitude in the measurement of the cortisol awakening response. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 103, pp. 249-258. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2019.01.023

Repressors exhibit lower cortisol reactivity to group psychosocial stress
Oskis, A., Smyth, N., Flynn, M. and Clow, A. 2019. Repressors exhibit lower cortisol reactivity to group psychosocial stress. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 103, pp. 33-40. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2018.12.220

Enhancing well-being and building resilience in people living with cancer part 2: a central role for nurses
Booth, S., Ryan, R., Clow, A., Smyth, N., Sharpe, S. and Spathis, A. 2018. Enhancing well-being and building resilience in people living with cancer part 2: a central role for nurses. Cancer Nursing Practice. 17 (5). https://doi.org/10.7748/cnp.2018.e1596

Preventing Family Transmission of Anxiety: Feasibility RCT of a Brief Intervention for Parents
Cartwright-Hatton, S., Ewing, D.L., Dash, S., Hughes, Z., Thompson, E.J., Hazell, C.M., Field, A.P. and Startup, H.M. 2018. Preventing Family Transmission of Anxiety: Feasibility RCT of a Brief Intervention for Parents. British Journal of Clinical Psychology. 57 (3), pp. 351-366. https://doi.org/10.1111/bjc.12177

Understanding the Barriers to Accessing Symptom-Specific Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) for Distressing Voices: Reflecting on and Extending the Lessons Learnt From the CBT for Psychosis Literature
Hazell, C.M., Greenwood, K., Fielding-Smith, S., Rammou, A., Bogen-Johnston, L., Berry, C., Jones, A. and Hayward, M. 2018. Understanding the Barriers to Accessing Symptom-Specific Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) for Distressing Voices: Reflecting on and Extending the Lessons Learnt From the CBT for Psychosis Literature. Frontiers in Psychology. 9 727. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00727

Guided self-help cognitive- behaviour Intervention for VoicEs (GiVE): Results from a pilot randomised controlled trial in a transdiagnostic sample
Hazell, C.M., Hayward, M., Cavanagh, K., Jones, A. and Strauss, C. 2018. Guided self-help cognitive- behaviour Intervention for VoicEs (GiVE): Results from a pilot randomised controlled trial in a transdiagnostic sample. Schizophrenia Research. 195, pp. 441-447. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.schres.2017.10.004

An Introduction to Self-help for Distressing Voices
Hazell, C.M., Hayward, M., Strauss, C. and Kingdon, D. 2018. An Introduction to Self-help for Distressing Voices. London Little Brown Book Group.

Physical fitness and prior physical activity are both associated with less cortisol secretion during psychosocial stress
Wood, C., Clow, A., Hucklebridge, F., Law, R. and Smyth, N. 2018. Physical fitness and prior physical activity are both associated with less cortisol secretion during psychosocial stress. Anxiety, Stress and Coping. 31 (2), pp. 135-145. https://doi.org/10.1080/10615806.2017.1390083

Hormonal measurement in psychobiological research
Clow, A., Hucklebridge, F. and Smyth, N. 2018. Hormonal measurement in psychobiological research. in: Murphy, P.N. (ed.) The Routledge International Handbook of Psychobiology London Routledge. pp. 95-108

Enhancing well-being and resilience in people living with cancer. Part 1
Booth, S., Ryan, R., Clow, A., Smyth, N., Sharpe, S. and Spathis, A. 2018. Enhancing well-being and resilience in people living with cancer. Part 1. Cancer Nursing Practice. 17 (5). https://doi.org/10.7748/cnp.2018.e1484

Caring for Caregivers (C4C): study protocol for a pilot feasibility randomised control trial of Positive Written Disclosure for older adult caregivers of people with psychosis
Hazell, C.M., Jones, C.J., Hayward, M., Bremner, S.A., O'Connor, D.B., Pinfold, V. and Smith, H.E. 2017. Caring for Caregivers (C4C): study protocol for a pilot feasibility randomised control trial of Positive Written Disclosure for older adult caregivers of people with psychosis. Pilot and Feasibility Studies. 3, p. 63. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40814-017-0206-z

Barriers to disseminating brief CBT for voices from a lived experience and clinician perspective
Hazell, C.M., Strauss, C., Cavanagh, K. and Hayward, M. 2017. Barriers to disseminating brief CBT for voices from a lived experience and clinician perspective. PLoS ONE. 12 (6) e0178715. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0178715

Understanding clinician attitudes towards implementation of guided self-help cognitive behaviour therapy for those who hear distressing voices: using factor analysis to test normalisation process theory
Hazell, C.M., Strauss, C., Hayward, M. and Cavanagh, K. 2017. Understanding clinician attitudes towards implementation of guided self-help cognitive behaviour therapy for those who hear distressing voices: using factor analysis to test normalisation process theory. BMC Health Services Research. 17, p. 507 507. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12913-017-2449-z

Salivary diurnal cortisol profiles in patients suffering from chronic breathlessness receiving supportive and palliative care services: a cross-sectional study
Ryan, R., Clow, A., Spathis, A., Smyth, N., Barclay, S., Fallon, M. and Booth, S. 2017. Salivary diurnal cortisol profiles in patients suffering from chronic breathlessness receiving supportive and palliative care services: a cross-sectional study. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 79, pp. 134-145. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2017.01.025

Visual mismatch negativity to masked stimuli presented at very brief presentation rates
Flynn, M., Liasis, A, Gardner, M. and Towell, A. 2017. Visual mismatch negativity to masked stimuli presented at very brief presentation rates. Experimental Brain Research. 235 (2), pp. 555-563. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-016-4807-1

A systematic review and meta- analysis of low intensity CBT for psychosis
Hazell, C.M., Hayward, M., Cavanagh, K. and Strauss, C. 2016. A systematic review and meta- analysis of low intensity CBT for psychosis. Clinical Psychology Review. 45, pp. 183-192. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cpr.2016.03.004

Guided self-help cognitive behavioural intervention for VoicEs (GiVE): study protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial
Hazell, C.M., Hayward, M., Cavanagh, K., Jones, A.M. and Strauss, C. 2016. Guided self-help cognitive behavioural intervention for VoicEs (GiVE): study protocol for a pilot randomized controlled trial. Trials. 17, p. 351 351. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13063-016-1494-y

No Significant Evidence of Cognitive Biases for Emotional Stimuli in Children At-Risk of Developing Anxiety Disorders.
Ewing, D.L., Dash, S., Thompson, E.J., Hazell, C.M., Hughes, Z., Lester, K.J. and Cartwright-Hatton, S. 2016. No Significant Evidence of Cognitive Biases for Emotional Stimuli in Children At-Risk of Developing Anxiety Disorders. Journal of Abnormal Child Psychology. 44 (7), pp. 1243-1252. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10802-015-0122-8

Putting the stress on conspiracy theories: examing associations between psychosocial stress, anxiety, and belief in conspiracy theories
Swami, V., Furnham, A., Smyth, N., Weis, L., Ley, A. and Clow, A. 2016. Putting the stress on conspiracy theories: examing associations between psychosocial stress, anxiety, and belief in conspiracy theories. Personality and Individual Differences . 99, pp. 72-76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2016.04.084

Assessment of the cortisol awakening response: Real-time analysis and curvilinear effects of sample timing inaccuracy
Smyth, N., Thorn, L., Hucklebridge, F., Clow, A. and Evans, P. 2016. Assessment of the cortisol awakening response: Real-time analysis and curvilinear effects of sample timing inaccuracy. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 74, pp. 380-386. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2016.09.026

Observed bodies generate object-based spatial codes
Taylor, A., Flynn, M., Edmonds, C.J. and Gardner, M. 2016. Observed bodies generate object-based spatial codes. Acta Psychologica. 169, pp. 71-78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.actpsy.2016.05.009

Relationship between post-awakening salivary cortisol and melatonin secretion in healthy participants
Ramachandran, N., Smyth, N., Thorn, L., Eardley, A.F., Evans, P. and Clow, A. 2016. Relationship between post-awakening salivary cortisol and melatonin secretion in healthy participants. Stress. 19 (2), pp. 260-263. https://doi.org/10.3109/10253890.2016.1146671

Hair cortisol concentrations in relation to ill-being and well-being in healthy young and old females
Smyth, N., Bianchin, M., Thorn, L., Hucklebridge, F., Kirschbaum, C., Stalder, T. and Clow, A. 2016. Hair cortisol concentrations in relation to ill-being and well-being in healthy young and old females. International Journal of Psychophysiology. 102, pp. 12-17. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijpsycho.2016.03.001

Post awakening cortisol and melatonin secretion are not related
Ramachandran, N., Smyth, N., Thorn, L., Eardley, A.F., Evans, P. and Clow, A. 2015. Post awakening cortisol and melatonin secretion are not related. Psychoneuroendocrinology. (61), p. 65. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2015.07.568

Assessment of the cortisol awakening response: expert consensus guidelines
Stalder, T., Kirschbaum, C., Kudielka, B.M., Adam, E.K., Pruessner, J.C., Wüst, S., Dockray, S., Smyth, N., Evans, P., Hellhammer, D.H., Miller, R., Wetherell, M.A., Lupien, S., Clow, A. and Jens C. Pruessner 2015. Assessment of the cortisol awakening response: expert consensus guidelines. Psychoneuroendocrinology. PNEC (63), pp. 414-432. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2015.10.010

Detailed time course of the cortisol awakening response in healthy participants
Smyth, N., Thorn, L., Hucklebridge, F., Evans, P. and Clow, A. 2015. Detailed time course of the cortisol awakening response in healthy participants. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 62, pp. 200-203. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2015.08.011

Post awakening salivary cortisol secretion and trait well-being: The importance of sample timing accuracy
Smyth, N., Thorn, L., Hucklebridge, F., Evans, P. and Clow, A. 2015. Post awakening salivary cortisol secretion and trait well-being: The importance of sample timing accuracy. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 58, pp. 141-151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2015.04.019

Anxious attachment style predicts an enhanced cortisol response to group psychosocial stress
Smyth, N., Thorn, L., Oskis, A., Hucklebridge, F., Evans, P. and Clow, A. 2015. Anxious attachment style predicts an enhanced cortisol response to group psychosocial stress. Stress. 18 (2), pp. 143-148. https://doi.org/10.3109/10253890.2015.1021676

Salivary cortisol as a biomarker in social science research
Thorn, L., Smyth, N., Hucklebridge, F., Evans, P. and Clow, A. 2013. Salivary cortisol as a biomarker in social science research. Social and Personality Psychology Compass. 7 (9), pp. 605-625. https://doi.org/10.1111/spc3.12057

Delays of 5–15 min between awakening and the start of saliva sampling matter in assessment of the cortisol awakening response
Smyth, N., Clow, A., Thorn, L., Hucklebridge, F. and Evans, P. 2013. Delays of 5–15 min between awakening and the start of saliva sampling matter in assessment of the cortisol awakening response. Psychoneuroendocrinology. 38 (9), pp. 1476-1483. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.psyneuen.2012.12.013

Cortisol secretion in saliva and hair: methodological considerations and relationships with state and trait well-being
Smyth, N. 2013. Cortisol secretion in saliva and hair: methodological considerations and relationships with state and trait well-being. PhD thesis University of Westminster School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Languages https://doi.org/10.34737/8z18y

Knowledge of lung cancer symptoms and risk factors in the UK: development of a measure and results from a population-based survey
Simon, A.E., Juszczyk, D., Smyth, N., Power, E., Hiom, S., Peake, M.D. and Wardle, J. 2012. Knowledge of lung cancer symptoms and risk factors in the UK: development of a measure and results from a population-based survey. Thorax. 67 (5), pp. 426-432. https://doi.org/10.1136/thoraxjnl-2011-200898

Empathic and non-empathic routes to visuospatial perspective-taking
Gronholm, P.C., Flynn, M., Edmonds, C.J. and Gardner, M. 2012. Empathic and non-empathic routes to visuospatial perspective-taking. Consciousness and Cognition. 21 (1), pp. 494-500. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.concog.2011.12.004

The effect of smoking nicotine tobacco versus smoking deprivation on motion sickness
Golding, J.F., Prosyanikova, O., Flynn, M. and Gresty, M.A. 2011. The effect of smoking nicotine tobacco versus smoking deprivation on motion sickness. Autonomic Neuroscience: Basic and Clinical. 160 (1-2), pp. 53-58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autneu.2010.09.009

Can illusory deviant stimuli be used as attentional distractors to record vMMN in a passive three stimulus oddball paradigm?
Flynn, M., Liasis, A., Gardner, M., Boyd, S. and Towell, A. 2009. Can illusory deviant stimuli be used as attentional distractors to record vMMN in a passive three stimulus oddball paradigm? Experimental Brain Research. 197 (2), pp. 153-161. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00221-009-1901-7

Practice Nurses' views of their role in the management of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalagic Encephalitis: a qualitative study
Chew-Graham, C., Dixon, R., Shaw, J.W., Smyth, N., Lovell, K. and Peters, S. 2009. Practice Nurses' views of their role in the management of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome/Myalagic Encephalitis: a qualitative study. BMC Nursing. 8 (2). https://doi.org/10.1186/1472-6955-8-2

Students who self-harm: coping style, rumination and alexithymia
Borrill, J., Fox, P., Flynn, M. and Roger, D. 2009. Students who self-harm: coping style, rumination and alexithymia. Counselling Psychology Quarterly. 22 (4), pp. 361-372. https://doi.org/10.1080/09515070903334607

P36.42 Identification of a pre-attentive visual discrimination response
Flynn, M., Liasis, A., Gardner, M. and Towell, A. 2006. P36.42 Identification of a pre-attentive visual discrimination response. Clinical Neurophysiology. 117 (Supplement 1), p. 194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinph.2006.06.651

The brain-sex theory of occupational choice: a counterexample
Esgate, A. and Flynn, M. 2005. The brain-sex theory of occupational choice: a counterexample. Perceptual and Motor Skills. 100 (1), pp. 25-37.

Permalink - https://westminsterresearch.westminster.ac.uk/item/x598z/univrse-protocol-for-a-pilot-randomised-controlled-trial-of-virtual-reality-cognitive-behaviour-therapy-for-students-with-social-anxiety


Share this

Usage statistics

15 total views
9 total downloads
These values cover views and downloads from WestminsterResearch and are for the period from September 2nd 2018, when this repository was created.