Universal Music Group and Rescape Innovation collaborate on study trialing new treatment for anxiety using music and Virtual Reality

11 December 2024 - Press release

 

• VR module ‘VR-Melody’ integrates personalised music, scenic settings and active listening exercises to treat anxiety and other mental health conditions.

• Trial study is taking place with up to 50 participants, who have access to personalised VR module at home for 10-14 days to identify benefits of treatment.

• In the UK, anxiety is reported to affect approximately 60% of the UK population. The UK Government estimates mental health costs the wider economy £105.2bn, just in England. A third of teenagers say they have been prescribed antidepressants, rising to 43% in 19–21-year-olds.

 

Universal Music Group (UMG), the world leader in music-based entertainment, and Cardiff-based Virtual Reality (VR) company, Rescape Innovation, today announced a collaborative study trialing a new innovative treatment for anxiety and other mental health conditions, using music and VR. 

‘VR-Melody’ is a VR module created by a multidisciplinary team led by Rescape Innovation and UMG with ethical AI company Bria.ai and Cardiff University’s Centre for Trials Research. Combining music, personalized VR (such as scenic settings) and active listening exercises, the treatment aims to reduce symptoms of anxiety and build resilience.

A trial study is taking place with up to 50 participants who will have access to VR-Melody at home, via a VR headset, for 10-14 days. During this time, participants will take part in regular feedback sessions to collect qualitative and quantitative data, to identify how it is used and the benefits of the treatment. Participants include Hafod, a not-for-profit organisation and members of the public.

The healing power of music is well-researched. Rescape Innovation’s technology DR.VR™ solution has already helped patients in over 60 hospitals across the UK, from pediatric wards to intensive care units. 

In recent years, UMG has led the industry in exploring creative and commercial opportunities for music to play an even greater role in health & well-being, licensing its catalogue of music to more than 40+ companies focused on areas including fitness, mental well-being and relaxation. UMG has also worked with partners to enable music to be used alongside existing treatments for a broad array of serious and chronic medical conditions including Stroke and Traumatic Brain Injury recovery, Alzheimer’s, Dementia, Parkinson’s and mental health conditions. 

In creating a unique, personalised treatment combining VR and music, VR-Melody is a single, scalable solution that aims to make a real difference to people’s lives.

The study is part of the Innovate UK Mindset Extended Reality for Digital Mental Health funding stream and builds on research funded as part of Media Cymru. Results of the study are set to be published in early 2025.

Dr Simon Riches, Clinical Psychologist for VR-Melody said: “Many people struggle with the symptoms of anxiety. By combining VR and music we hope to give people tools to help with and understand their mental health. I’ve been using VR for mental health treatments for many years and seen its positive impact on patients. This project will expand our knowledge of VR's unique qualities and, ultimately, has huge potential to help more patients. We want to start a revolution in the treatment of mental health and make a difference to people’s wellbeing. 

Kevin Moss, CEO, Rescape Innovation said: “We see the positive impact that our VR therapeutic treatment, called DR.VR, has on staff and patients every day. This project is an exciting opportunity to explore the power of music. We are going to need bold visions and new partnerships to solve society’s mental health crisis. UMG gives us an in-depth resource of well-loved music, knowledge and inspiration that we can harness to spark a new way of approaching mental fitness”

James Healy, SVP, Digital Strategy and Business Development, Universal Music Group,said: The power of music in relation to mental health is well documented. This new collaborative study which combines UMG’s music catalogue and virtual reality unlocks a new avenue in the treatment of anxiety, and we hope will make a real difference to people’s lives.

Dr Kim Smallman, Research Associate at Cardiff University said: “When we think about the increasing number of people experiencing poor mental health and the pressures on mental health services in the UK and globally, there is a need for innovative solutions that can work at scale. There is extensive evidence on the benefits of music and its potential to help with anxiety, mental health and well-being. This project is a unique opportunity to research how UMG popular artists and their music can help reduce symptoms of anxiety and build resilience.”

Jamie Smith, Director of Research and Innovation at Hafod, said: “As a people-focused business, our colleagues are central to what we do. Those in our frontline teams experience emotional fatigue and, at times low wellbeing. Being part of this project might help us unlock something game-changing.”

 

Further information about this study can be found here: https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/centre-for-trials-research/research/studies-and-trials/view/vr-melody